Grumpy Barrett dumped by Cubs: ESPN
It looks as though gloomy gus backstop Michael Barrett of the Chicago Cubs has been given his bus ticket out of town, according to ESPN.com who are reporting he has been dealt to the San Diego Padres for two players. Buster Olney is reporting that the Cubs will receive Padres’ backup catcher Rob Bowen and a minor league outfielder, Kyler Burke (who was San Diego’s first-round compensation pick in last year’s first-year player draft). In addition, cash considerations from the Cubs will also go the Padres way. The move comes on the heels of two heated dust-ups Barrett had with teammates as of late, including star pitcher Carlos Zambrano and hurler Rich Hill.
In the past, Barrett was also involved in a much-replayed tussle with A.J. Pierzynski in May 2006 after the equally-maligned Pierzynski bowled over Barrett at home – in what both teams called a clean play. Barrett was later suspended for 10 games while Pierzynski was only fined. Maybe a little California sun will mellow out this hothead. It sure couldn’t hurt. I mean, when A.J. Pierzynski is the innocent party in fight, you know the other guy must really be a jerk. Usually, A.J. need no help in that regard.
Barrett is hitting a whopping .256 this year with nine HR and 29 RBI. He is expected to compete for the regular reigns for the Padres with Josh Bard, who is struggling even more at .253, two HR and 19 RBI. The Heckler is fairly certain the Tigers’ Gary Sheffield darn-near equaled both of these catcher’s numbers – combined - on the Tigers’ last road trip.
- The Heckler - BaseballBigMouth.com
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