Buster Olney just reported the news on Mike and Mike in the Morning that the Cubs have traded disgruntled catcher Michael Barrett to the Padres. He's not sure whom the Cubs received in exchange, but that's sure to come out shortly. This report isn't much of a surprise given all the issues the Cubs have dealt with in regards to Barrett lately.A few weeks ago, Barrett got into a fight with pitcher Carlos Zambrano. Then last week, he got into it with another teammate, starter Rich Hill. PostmanR later noted that Barrett was being put on timeout by Piniella, raising speculation that all wasn't well with the Cubs and Barrett.
This report proves a few things. One, that Zambrano, Hill, and the other pitchers win, while Barrett loses. Two, that there was something more to the comments and timeouts Piniella made for Barrett, as you might have guessed. And lastly, it looks like Michael Barrett is the real bad guy here. He sucker-punched AJ Pierzynski last year, and then got into it with two of his pitchers. I'll say this much, the Padres sure could use Michael's offense. My guess is San Diego got Barrett on the cheap. Be sure to check back to find out the terms of the trade.
UPDATE: I'm hearing now on the Padres flagship station, Double X Sports Radio, that the Padres are sending Rob Bowen, minor leaguer Kyler Burke, and some cash considerations to Chicago in exchange for Barrett.
Previously at FanHouse:
Michael Barrett Is Feeling the Heat in Chicago
Carlos Zambrano and Michael Barrett Fight in Dugout
Lou Piniella Is Giving Catcher Michael Barrett a Timeout
Michael Barrett News
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-20-2007 @ 10:45AM
John S. said...
Huzzah! This trade happend two weeks ago when Barrett started a fight with the Cubs most valuable player, Big Z. He was always a yappy instigator/punk that could NEVER FIELD. He was perfect for Cub fans though, hit them dingers!
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6-20-2007 @ 12:18PM
Wayne Sepcot said...
What a terrible trade. A former "Silver Slugger" award winner (Barrett) for a guy who hit 3 homers last year and can't throw anybody out & a poor hitting minor leaguer. Hope they get alot of cash.
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6-20-2007 @ 12:23PM
Wayne Sepcot said...
What a terrible trade. Barrett is a former "Silver Slugger" award winner who drives in runs but is a little weak on defense. In turn, the Cubs get a catcher who hit 3 homers last year, 2 this year, and has only thrown out 3 runners. The minor league player is very poor hitter. Hope the Cubs get alot of cash...
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6-20-2007 @ 1:12PM
John S. said...
This trade had nothing to do with value and everything to do with getting the guy who started 3 in-team fights in the past month, and has sucked at fielding for 3 years out of the clubhouse. Honestly, other than a few homeruns, what does he bring to the team? Do the Cubs even need a catcher that can hit the ball out seeing as the rest of their lineup is more than capable? or should they fix the terrible trend of bad defense that starts and ends with the field general? Yep, i thought you would come around, their defense will improve 10 fold with koyie hill as the backstop simply because he plays the game the right way and does the little things right, which for some reason, the rest of the team is incapable of doing. Good move to get Barrett out of town. In a more depleated lineup he has value still, but not with the cubs stacked lineup and bad defense and bad attitude, is he of any use.
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6-20-2007 @ 2:34PM
andyi said...
Agreed. As a Cub fan, it's tough to see the solid hitting Barrett go, but it had to be done. He was not going to be able to help them anymore. Koyie Hill is a good defender and will do a fine job.
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6-20-2007 @ 8:58PM
Atlantic City said...
C'ya Michael Barrett. Go fighting on some other team.
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6-21-2007 @ 9:51AM
Kristy said...
Barret is a great overall player! He plays the game with passion, and has a sincere love for Chicago and it's fans! He's one of the few players, I believe, that plays the game for the love of it, and not just for the millions of dollars it puts into his pocket! We, as cub fans, are losing a huge asset to our team, and the Padres are gaining one of the best! I hope they know how lucky they are. Barrett, you will be missed!
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6-21-2007 @ 10:29AM
michael reeves said...
I hope big Z is happy now, and signs a contract, now that he knows what the Cubs G.M. will do to keep him around. I am a fan of Big Z, I wish he would walk the walk,"Cy Young" canidate. The cubs will catch the brewers.
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6-21-2007 @ 11:28AM
griff williams said...
Barrett is the winner, contrary to the opinion of Larry Brown. Barrett no longer has to play for the "loser Cubs" and he now has a chance to play for a division winner.
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6-25-2007 @ 8:24PM
Moe O'less said...
Great.... Now the Cubs have three catchers that couldn't hit their way out of a wet paper bag.
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