Bleacher Bums Forum

Why is it automatically cynical to not be convinced that Barney is going to be able to maintain what he's done so far?  We got the same attitude last year when we dared to question whether or not Colvin's performance was sustainable, and we've seen how that one has turned out so far.

I appreciate what Barney has done so far, have been impressed, and am more optimistic about him being able to maintain his performance than Colvin.  But he still barely OPSed .700 in the minors, and is far from a sure thing.  I hope he can keep it up.  But a player with as little margin for error as he has still has to prove himself for a longer stretch than a month and a half.  That's not being cynical...that's just realistic.

I think if Castro was used this year like Colvin was used, he'd look like a failure too.  I'm not counting on Colvin amounting to anything, but Cub treatment is an equal culprit to his level of talent.  JMO.

But if how he was used this spring helps you fulfill your prophecy, fine.

I don't know how else Tyler Colvin could have been used, Curt.

He only plays four positions (LF, CF, RF, 1B) and three of those spots (LF, CF, RF) were at least to some degree productive for the first month.

The manager didn't seem to like Colvin's (or anyone's) defense in center field over Marlon Byrd.

Colvin doesn't have a ton of experience at first but he did play there against righties when Carlos Pena tweaked his wrist/thumb/whatever early but Colvin didn't hit.

When Fukudome strained his hamstring, Colvin played and didn't produce.

Alfonso Soriano hit a bunch of homers early so Colvin wasn't going to get much playing time in left as long as Soriano was the only Cub hitting for power.

Once the calendar flipped to May, Carlos Pena has been the Cubs only slugger, so Colvin wasn't going to get much time at first base.

Things just didn't break the right way for Colvin to get a lot of time in the lineup and when he did get some time, he didn't play well enough to earn more.

It made sense to send him down to get every day ABs and hopefully he can get something going in Iowa.  His confidence probably needs some repairing.

I think he'll get himself straightened out and turn things around but it's probably going to take a while because, as someone pointed out earlier, he's never played AAA ball before.

I'd like to see him finish the year in AAA and put up some solid numbers... and then get traded because I don't see him as an every day regular in the Majors for the Cubs but that doesn't mean he can't carve out a nice career as a fourth or fifth outfielder somewhere else.

Oh, OK, I see what you're saying with regards to Darwin Barney.

I think if Barney didn't hit from the beginning of the season, he might be at Iowa right now, too.  If Blake DeWitt didn't have a Cactus League from hell, Barney might be starting at second base or shortstop for Iowa.  Actually, Barney would probably be riding the bench for the Cubs because no one else on the 25-man roster can play shortstop.

Remember, the Cubs are in the "production business" (unless your name is Koyie Hill).

Fortunately, Barney has hit really well and been one of the Cubs best players  He has been a pleasant surprise.  Everyone is rooting for him to keep up the good work.

Yep, now you got it. 

So, we're forfeiting?

They pretty much have to call someone up for tomorrow, don't they?  Maine, Russell, and Samardzija all threw a lot of pitches last night, and it looks like the bullpen is probably going to have to get at least 9-12 outs tonight. 

Depending on how bad Byrd is, I guess they could DL him and call Berg back up to pitch in long relief...at least I'm assuming you can bring up a pitcher back up this quick with a position player injury.

Apparently that rule has been changed.  It used to be that the injury had to be at the same position before the ten day limit was waived.  If so, it sounds like the PTBNL rule changes - anything to get around the rule is fine.

Several sources suggest that Justin Berg is taking Marlon Byrd's roster spot.

Justin Berg for Marlon Byrd is now official.

Theriot and Barney may (or may not) be similar in terms of their hitting, but otherwise they are vastly different.  Barney is a far better defender and he is waay better on the fundamentals - he seems to have  very good baseball intelligence.  No one is going to accuse Theriot of that.