Does Barden Have Value @ SS ?

by Red Blazer on Jun 12, 2008 12:58 PM EDT

Today I was reading someones reply on Cards Talk or Bernies Box to what to do now that the Mang is down for a few weeks.

The poster suggested moving Glaus to 1B and bringing up Barden and keeping Duncan in AAA to find his missing stroke. I said to myself that won't work because Freese should come up before Barden since he is playing 3B and Barden is playing SS.

Then it clicked. Barden is at SS. I'm not sure how he is fielding wise but his bat is looking decent. He is hitting .301 with a balance split between Lefties and Righties. He seems to be talking walks and has an OBP 20 points shy of .400. Also for a SS he has some gap power with the ability to put one over the fence once in a while.

My question is if he continues to hit and field does he all the sudden have more value now that he is a SS with some pop instead of a light hitting all glove 3B?

If so do we give him a look soon or deal him to another team?

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Barden

I think he is being groomed to be a utility infielder as he has played 3B, SS, and 2B. He was drafted as a SS but was shifted to 3B early in the minors. The Cardinals moved him back over to SS when they got Freese in the Edmonds deal. Elbirdos or someone gave a report to the effect that Barden has limited range at 2B. I like his bat though as a utility option. I’d like to see us DFA Kennedy after the all-star break and promote Barden. Let Ryan start at 2B and Barden becomes utility 3B, SS, 2B.

by jjray on Jun 12, 2008 1:34 PM EDT reply actions

+1

So basically, he’s Aaron Miles but with a better arm and better bat, right?

by mikedallas45 on Jun 12, 2008 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions

SS

correction … limited range at SS.

by jjray on Jun 12, 2008 1:35 PM EDT reply actions

That makes more since.

I was trying to figure out how is range dipped at 2B if he plays SS all the time.

"Why does he keep saying that?"

by Red Blazer on Jun 12, 2008 2:21 PM EDT reply actions

i'm not sure how accurate this is....

but i think i remember someone saying that barden essentially does a good aaron miles impression at short, with obviously a better arm. so, i think mikedallas45 summed it up pretty well. he is not a full time option at short, but could definitely be a useful utility man and an upgrade over kennedy.

by bwhitt on Jun 12, 2008 4:14 PM EDT reply actions

He cost less than Miles and appears to have a little pop in his bat so I guess

he does have some value to us but I wonder if anyone else would want him?

"Why does he keep saying that?"

by Red Blazer on Jun 12, 2008 6:14 PM EDT reply actions

Minor league translation...

BP translates Barden’s AAA line to a Major League EQA of .240, which is equal to Brendan Ryan and at least 10 points better than all our other middle infielders.

So even if Barden’s defense at short isn’t quite there, why not run him out there at second base? He’s clearly worth a roster spot over Kennedy at this point, especially since he at least provides the possibility of playing some shortstop.

by bgodar on Jun 12, 2008 6:58 PM EDT reply actions

So basically...

He’s a utility man in the sense that he’s willing to stand at various positions without getting too mad at the manager. Still, I’m certain he could outhit Kennedy without committing murder to the Cardinals’ defense. I have to say that it’s nice to be talking about guys in the minors as potential legitimate fill-ins rather than just a guy to call up b/c someone got hurt, as Memphis has been for some years now.

"Your Holiness, I'm Joseph Medwick. I, too, used to be a Cardinal."-Joe Medwick, to Pope Pius XII.

by redbirdnation8206 on Jun 12, 2008 7:40 PM EDT reply actions

You guys are underestimating Barden's D

He was the best defensive 3B in the PCL last year. Don’t know how he does at short, but I could see him being a nice Spiezio-type corner utility player, especially if his bat continues to come back to where it looked earlier in his milb career.

by liam on Jun 13, 2008 12:14 AM EDT reply actions

I agree Liam.

I have always heard good things about his defense. He can hit so if you put that all together at SS or 2B he could be a valuable utility guy or maybe even a starter.

From what I saw of his splits this year he is hitting both lefties and righties.

"Why does he keep saying that?"

by Red Blazer on Jun 13, 2008 9:51 AM EDT reply actions

My anecdotal observations

I’ve seen Barden play a few times this season, and he’s always looked competent if not exceptional. He looks sure of himself and can turn a smooth double-play, but I doubt his range is quite what you’d like from a SS. He reminds me of somebody like Mark DeRosa.

by bgodar on Jun 13, 2008 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

We could use a 2B maybe he would be above average defensively at that position.

"Why does he keep saying that?"

by Red Blazer on Jun 13, 2008 1:42 PM EDT reply actions

another point for Barden as utility guy

Neither of our utility IF utility guys (Ryan and Miles) can play 3B competently and Barden is a plus defender at 3B. I think we add something by DFAing Kennedy and adding Miles.

by jjray on Jun 13, 2008 3:40 PM EDT reply actions

adding Barden

... my mind is going.

by jjray on Jun 13, 2008 3:40 PM EDT reply actions

Where does it leave the Hoff if Barden comes up after kicking AK to the curb?

trade bait, or hold him until next year when Iz2 and Miles come off the books?

"Why does he keep saying that?"

by Red Blazer on Jun 13, 2008 3:41 PM EDT reply actions

I saw the Redbirds play Monday night

Barden’s break or range to either side didn’t look so good. He also made one backhanded play that looked clumsy, probably because of his footwork. He missed on dives, one to each side. Good strong accurate throws, though. I hope I caught him on the wrong night.

Perhaps he IS being groomed as a utility player. I’d say Ryan’s defense at shortstop is considerably better, but hey, there’s a definite sample size caveat here.

by random on Jun 19, 2008 12:17 PM EDT reply actions