Brandon Barnes, Starting Left Fielder? Astros Offseason Talk
by David Coleman on Nov 11, 2010 1:27 PM CST
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PrintAnother day, another hare-brained idea about what the Astros could look like in 2011. This time? What if Brandon Barnes is the mysterious outfielder that could steal a spot in the starting lineup out of spring training.
You may have seen this quote from Brian McTaggart's excellent series on the Astros roster.
Bogusevic and Bourgeois will get a look as backup outfielders, but don't be surprised to see a Minor League player make a push during the spring.
Yeah, so he's not saying that a minor leaguer will necessarily win a job. But I can easily suggest a scenario where this happens.
Say Wallace struggles at first base, forcing Carlos Lee to move there permanently in 2011 while Wallace spends time at Triple-A. Who fills in for Lee?
Now, at the same time, what if Barnes is tearing the cover off the ball in spring training? He's hitting well in the Arizona Fall League, though he's fallen off somewhat in the past week. The power is still there, though, and he will never be a high on-base guy. So, if he's seeing the ball well and the Astros like his approach, would they give him a shot?
Sure, he's right-handed, so he wouldn't platoon with Jason Michaels (who would get first crack at the job). But, I could see someone like Barnes showing enough power to warrant a second look in April. This offense needs more power, why not from him?
A lot of things would have to fall into place for that to happen, though, and I don't anticipate all of them actually coming to fruition. I would point out that it has happened before, when a hot-hitting older minor leaguer named Luke Scott won the left field job in March. Of course, he was quickly sent down, but it does hint at a possibility for a dark-horse like Barnes to become a big part of the lineup.
What do you think? Am I crazy? Would you want Barnes in the lineup? Does his OBP scare you? Does the fact that he has only a handful of games above High A ball scare you more?
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big IF
I think he would be a huge stretch since he has 46 plate appearances in AA & AAA. I like Barnsie and want to see him move up but this would be the equivalent to throwing him to the wolves. He is doing fairly well in the AFL. Let’s jump him to AAA maybe but not Houston..
I agree that its a big if. Sure he put up an exciting season this year, but other than that, he hasnt done much. I would much rather see a guy like Bogey get that shot because he has shown good batting skills on a much bigger stage. I would also think that JD Martinez would get that opportunity above Barnes as well. Im not rooting against Barnes or anything, I just see a few better options.
by Subber10 on Nov 11, 2010 3:26 PM CST via mobile up reply actions
What about Laynce Nix?
The guy got released by the Reds even though he played pretty well in limited time last season. He could fill a spot for left fielder (or 5th outfielder—since he can play every outfield position), bats left, and probably would come pretty cheap too.
How about?
Well here I am again and I still have others to say about what the Astros could do & what I am reading about. so here goes nothing if the Astros need help at Left field how about this Houston can trade Carlos Lee to Boston for Jacoby Ellisbury. And if Brent Wallace doesn’t work out the Astros can trade Wandy Rodriguez, Felipe Paulino to the Los Angeles Dodgers for James Loney he is from the Houston Area, & Trade J R Towles to the Chicago White Sox for second baseman Gordon Beckman.
Interesting Thought
Barnes could be a good dark horse. He has power both homer and doubles power (which suggests he is not a complete free swinger). To make the team Barnes would need to cut down on his strikeouts. Barnes had 120 Ks last year. However, there are reasons why Barnes could make the team he has upside, Bougesivic is still unproven, having Lee, Micheals, and Wallace allows for multiple back-up plans or a platoon system.
We are certainly looking for a left-handed power bat whether it is Wallace or Barnes. Nix could be a good pickup.
Not gonna happen
Barnes only chance of starting is if Wallace has a disastrous spring. Sorry to disappoint, but Lee is going to start. Owners just don’t let managers sit $20 mil players and McLane is no different.
In a safe pick, I’ll say that Wade will sign someone to back up Castro at catcher. For a surprise pick, I’m going to say that Wade will make a run at Javier Vasquez. Offensively, Wade likes where the team is at every position, with the exception of LF and SS. Lee is going to start, which leaves SS.
I’m sure Wade would love to upgrade at SS, but one look at the SS available via FA and you see it’s not going to happen. Wade traded for Tejada at a time when McLane was insisting that the team go all out to get back to the playoffs. McLane is now back in the real world and Wade isn’t going to make any splash moves with this team.
Instead, look for Wade to throw a 1 or 2 year deal at Vazquez for $8mil or so. It’s not that big of a stretch for a SP whose K/BB ratio was 5:1 before moving to the Big Apple.
by JohnInWisconsin on Nov 11, 2010 10:54 PM CST reply actions
Owners DO accept that managers sit 20mil players if they don’t perform. Carlos Zambrano. Even Barry Zito was held off the playoff active roster.
But OUR owner apparently does not…
I agree on the Vasquez pick, that would make for a great starting rotation. Myers, Wandy, Vasquez, Happ, Norris.
Zambrano was moved to the bullpen, which is still kind of ridiculous to have an 18mil reliever. Zito was not on the active roster, because he was the 5th starter and in the playoffs you don’t need a 5th starter. Their bullpen was also already stacked with left handers so there was no need for him at all.
by Timothy De Block on Nov 12, 2010 7:33 AM CST up reply actions
Zambrano did miss a large part of the season because he was suspended after the anger episode. True, it wasn’t due to performance, but one has to wonder if the Cubs would have suspended Zambrano for a month or so if he had been pitching well.
If he’s pitching well I doubt he has that blow up.
by Timothy De Block on Nov 12, 2010 8:17 AM CST up reply actions
Osvaldo Martinez of the Marlins
Does anyone know anything about him? Like can he play defense? It looks like he is a contact hitter with speed. What do you think of the idea of adding him into the SS mix? I like him because he got shot three times, but that’s about all I know.
He was the Marlins’ minor league Player of the Year this year. He’s 22 and spent the year with the Marlins’ AA affiliate and did well enough to earn a cup of coffee on the major league club. He did pretty well in 48 AB at the major league level, but has struggled in 25 AB in the AFL.
His defensive reputation is that he’s solid: a good arm, OK range (some have suggested a move to 2b).
I’m sure all of the OFers who played at AA and AAA will be given a shot in the spring. That list includes Bogusevic, Bourgeois, Shuck, Barnes, DeLome, Locke, Martinez, Steele, Clemens, and Gaston. I’d imagine they will also bring in a flurry of minor league free agents to compete as well. And the way they’re talking continually about moving Lee to 1st makes me think they are prepping for a splash LF signing. So all those things considered, it’s impossible to know who will end up manning LF next season.
A week ago, I would’ve said with a fair amount of certainty that Wallace would be at 1st, Lee in left, and Michaels and either Bourgeois or Bogusevic as the 4th and 5th OFers. Now, I’m not so sure. I think spring training will determine a lot. It’s hard to guess who will come out and be too hot not to keep. But it’s certainly interesting to think about. My best case scenario would be to see a trade sending Lee away for a pitcher with a bad contract and having young guys man both 1st and LF. But we’ll just have to wait and see.
Astros LF
I say Bogusevic and Delome get hard look in ST. Delome, as far as I know is not playing winter ball. Can’t tell you if it’s his shoulder (injured), or he’s in the dog house with the ‘Stros, and about to get JR treatment. Heck, Delome is only 24 with a little extra time in the cage and someone with the ’Stros rattling his cage, perhaps he could contribute making up one of the fastest outfields in the NL. I believe Delome is a better athlete and has more power than any of our OF prospects. I know, I know the SO and OBP are not major league caliber ,yet. I’m not on the Barns band wagon. Brandon is/will be 25 years old come ST. Yes he hit some bombs in Califorina, so did Gaston, Austin etc…. Get a full season in AAA and then load the wagon. As far as Delome goes I say give the kid a chance or better yet trade him while he’s young.
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