Austin Barnes won’t need a wheel barrel for his 2026 salary…
But he ain’t no plug nickel.
“A plug nickel is a nickel (now a five-cent coin, but originally a one-cent coin and later a three-cent coin) where the silver (center disc) has been harvested and replaced “plugged” with a different material, thus decreasing the metal value of the coin.”
Austin Barnes was acquired by the Mets and, at first glance, appears to be the equivalent of a nearly worthless plug nickel, but he may be a silver Liberty Dollar in disguise (i.e., worth more than perceived at first glance.
I saw an article entitled, “A sneaky good move the Mets have already made”
…recently written by JUST METS’ DREW VAN BUSKIRK, wherein he spells out the value of Austin Barnes to the Mets.
I will add some excerpts and my insightful insights (are there any other kind?)
“Everything happens for a reason (allegedly) — that includes free agent signings. The Mets’ signing veteran backstop Austin Barnes to a minor league deal is no exception to that rule”, Van Buskirk began.
He had my attention, so I read on
He noted that the announcement that the Mets were bringing in Barnes didn’t generate much reaction, ranging “from tepid to disinterested”. Van Buskirk, like the rest of us, quickly noted that “he’s an aging backup catcher with a weak bat that’s being brought in on a minor league deal — definitely not the splashiest move of any offseason.”
He then “challenged the signing naysayers and agnostics to look at this move through a different lens, specifically that of how the Mets are tending to their young pitching group”. He noted that Barnes isn’t flashy, but is someone with “a decade catching meaningful innings, managing elite pitchers (including an all-time great), and gleaning valuable information from one of the most well-structured, analytics-forward organizations in baseball.
Ding, Ding, Ding. Ringing up value on the value meter.
In short, he’s here to provide intel.
In a career with similarities to former MLB back up catcher Keith Osik, Barnes has been in the majors since 2015, mostly with the Dodgers.
A career .223/.322/.338 hitter, to be sure, “but it becomes less of a concern when you remember Barnes is likely being brought in mostly as a teacher, not a hitter.” His best major league hitting was from ages 27 to 32, and he is now 36.
Continuing, many times, Van Buskirk astutely noted, Barnes caught future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw, noting that Kershaw posted a 2.67 ERA in games started together with Barnes, with a 53–27 record. Van Buskirk continued: “Kershaw has gone on record about how close the two are on and off the field, so it’s easy to imagine Barnes has no shortage of inspiration and information to pass along to the Christian Scotts and Jonah Tongs of the world, from pre-start preparation to in-game management and everything in between.”
Obviously, having played in 612 MLB games with nearly 1,800 career PAs, he’s caught other LA hurling dandies, too. Van Buskirk noted that:
“Team-wide, Dodgers pitchers generally performed around or slightly better than baseline with Barnes catching, suggesting stability more than volatility. And for the Mets, that’s the point — they need someone who can help young pitchers figure themselves out and establish routines that, alongside revamped instruction, may help boost some respective floors.
In addition to wisdom, Barnes offers serious defensive upside behind that plate that should provide just as much practical value.
Let me show Van Buskirk’s logic, unabridged:
“First, there’s the issue of framing, something Barnes has historically been elite at. With the arrival of the ABS system looming, this seems to be a skill whose value is disappearing before our eyes…I wouldn’t go that far.
“Barnes has consistently graded out well as a strike-stealer behind the plate, particularly in the bottom of the zone. For a team full of sinker ballers and breaking-ball repertoires, that’s a perfect complement to their development. And even though ABS will undoubtedly take away some of the impact a well-framed pitch can have, I think we’ll see that downward slope happen more gradually.
“Not every edge-case pitch will be challenged, and I have a feeling that we’ll see a less severe drop in overall framing value over time than we might in the first few years of ABS adoption.
“Beyond the batter’s box, Barnes has also historically ranked well above average as a blocker, finishing in the 82nd percentile. For a team whose primary pair of catches have historically suffered from issues with passed balls, that’s just another level of insurance being added in the background.
“And for young pitchers especially, having a sure-handed glove to throw to while they’re developing their repertoire makes their process that much easier — they can focus on developing stability in their mechanics and pitch shapes while throwing to a neutral target. Over time, that confidence compounds.
“But beyond the counsel Barnes will be able to give the up-and-comers on a baseball level, Barnes should be able to provide Mets officials with a wealth of organizational insight. Known and lauded for his diligence, Barnes’s preparedness trait will assuredly be called upon as the new Mets pitching factory takes shape.
“After being fully immersed in the Dodgers’ analytical world for a decade, Barnes will be able to provide both players and instructors with a wealth of invaluable information on how the Los Angeles Death Star’s development system works. In that sense, he’s more an extension of the pitching infrastructure than he is a depth move.
“So no, the Mets didn’t sign Barnes to bring any sort of offensive firepower or start a preseason roster battle with Francisco Álvarez or Luis Torrens. Barnes is a Met because his off-field value is through the roof. Barnes is here to be a mentor, a consultant, and a backup catcher, in that order. For where this team is right now, he’s the perfect guy for the job.”
Well said, say I.
If I can add my Brennan take-aways here, Barnes is only 3rd or 4th string, and kind of on a par at this point with the less experienced Mets farmhand Hayden Senger, but most likely Barnes can really help out great prospect pitchers to all develop into the next…well, the next Clayton Kershaw.
And I’ll take 5 of those, please.
WBC METS
I saw this list of WBC Mets.
Worried about Holmes’ workload? Well, he’s going. You want McLean to win ROY and be ready for the playoffs, without excessive 2026 innings? Well, he’s going. Brazoban? Him too.
Consider me nervous. Edwin’s major injury is not easily forgotten or dismissed.
Ban the WBC.
- Clay Holmes - USA
- Nolan McLean - USA
- Juan Soto - Dominican Republic
- Huascar Brazoban - Dominican Republic
- Mark Vientos - Nicaragua
- Robert Stock - Israel
- Jordan Geber - Israel
- Ben Simon - Israel
- Josh Blum - Israel
- Alex Carillo - Mexico
- Daniel Duarte - Mexico
- Nick Morabito - Italy
- Jared Young - Canada
- Daviel Hurtado - Cuba
- Jose Ramos - Panama
- Carlos Guzman - Venezuela
- Jamdrick Cornelia - Netherlands
6 comments:
The WBC
Home country pride
Frankly I think Barnes is a Met because Parada is such a failure
Barnes is a solid move for alll those right reasons.
WBC = WTF. I get the marketing & economics but the downside risks are just too much for my taste.
RVH and MACK, The downside risk is my concern. These guys are throwing all out gas in this tournament for the pride of their country. It’s too early to be that ramped up. A 162 game season plus playoffs? I do remember the child story of the tortoise and the hare. Pitchers need to resist being hares. Or jumping up and down and celebration while surrounded by a team of equally jubilant players. It’s always possible that, gee, someone could get hurt.
Hitters I am less worried about. Lindor? If he’s coming off of surgery, then he should be proceeding cautiously until the season starts, to make absolutely sure there are no setbacks. Because the Mets need them for 160 games.
McLean and Soto its insane that clubs who are paying millions to these players have no say in the decision like if you get injured you don't get paid but how silly of me. The lost of any of our players would be disasterous period! Diaz wasn't enough of a lesson.
Gary, I agree as it pertains to any pitchers that you need to rely on, and any hitters that are coming off a serious injury. Of course, once you start leaving those people out then the WBC starts to lose some of its luster. But frankly, I don’t watch the WBC. I wanna watch the real deal.
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