Breaking News: Carroll Activated, Barfield Sent Down
Written By: TD | Category: Cleveland Indians | Comments: 18
In news expected to come at some point this week, the Indians have activated utility man Jamey Carroll from his rehab stint in Columbus. Losing his spot on the roster is Josh Barfield, who deserves a better fate.
Carroll who will see time at second and third base, should be in the rotation for regular at-bats after showing his versatility and value last year. He is back after breaking a bone in his hand in the ninth inning of the last spring training game in early April in Houston. Indians.com writer Anthony Castrovince mentioned this morning even before the Carroll activation that JC could be in the mix along with Asdrubal Cabrera to replace Grady Sizemore in the leadoff spot, with Grady being moved down in the order. “Right now,” Wedge said, “we have to consider everything.”
As for Barfield, after going 3-3, receiving no starts, and being used primarily as a pinch runner, he has to feel as though Wedge and Shapiro have it in for him with this demotion. I’ll say it again, how can you keep David Dellucci on this roster over Barfield. I don’t care that he is an extra left-handed bat. The guy doesn’t belong on the team.
Ok, officially off the soap box.
Author: TD
TD is a born and bred Clevelander who agrees with ESPN's Scott Van Pelt when he says ""Ranch Dressing makes everything better except for cereal and ice cream."TD has written 253 articles for Waiting for Next Year.
So we send down a guy who has shown in his 3 chances that he can hit coming off the bench. Not to mention he can run and play a multitude of positions.
Delluci aside, I could see sending down Valbuena since he doesn’t play much either. But c’mon, Barfield deserves a chance on this team. Grafanino got more at bats than him.
The actual choice here was between Barfield and Valbuena. Good decision, I guess.
[...] RHP Frank Herrmann was called up from AA-Akron, and took the roster spot of the released RHP Juan Salas, and RHP Randy Newsom was sent down to Akron. His roster spot was filled by FA RHP Blaine Neal. OF Stephen Head went on the DL, RHP Greg Aquino came off of the DL, and INF Jamey Carroll was activated to begin a rehab assignment. [edit] As TD reported, the organization made a move Tuesday afternoon and activated Carroll, sending Barfield back to Columbus. [...]
Why keep Valbuena in the majors if you’re not going to play him?
Part of Barfield being sent back down is his ability (however limited) to play the OF. The Clippers have only three TRUE OFs on their active roster, and they’ve had guys like C Chris Gimenez playing out there. Whether it’s a good reason or not, that definitely is part of it, I suspect.
1- Barfield had his chance in ‘07 and really was not very good. Didn’t hit at all last year either (even in AAA before the callup/injury). But yeah, Valbuena is still developing, at least, and could’ve used the AAA ABs. I think we can assume that Carroll will be taking pretty much all the leftover reps now.
I agree with those who would have rather seen Valbuena go down. I understand DP’s point about the Clippers’ needs, but I’m more concerned about Valbuena getting AB’s. Given Wedge’s ludicrous methods of favoring veterans, you know Carroll (who I actually like a lot as a player) is going to take every spare AB from Valbuena. That is more defensible that taking LaPorta’s ABs from Delluci, but why bother then to keep Valbuena up with the big club? I’m cornfused.
I’m not saying I’m in favor of the move… more just a reason I think it’s being made.
If all you do is strike out and hit into double plays, should it matter if you bat with either hand or even using just your teeth?
The Dellucci madness must end.
Are you suggesting Looch stand in and take pitches to the grill?
At least he’d be getting on base……..
Didn’t I just read on here that the purpose of a AAA team is to serve its major league affiliate? Not the other way around, right? What the Clippers need in the outfield should have absolutely nothing to do with this…and because Barfield has done well in his (limited action during his) time up and Valbuena’s done nothing particularly impressive (and helped to lose us a game), I concur that it’s Valbuena who should’ve been sent down.
I was more implying swinging with the bat between your teeth, but hey, if he wants to step into a few, that is fine by me. He’ll get on base AND get on the DL faster.
LaPorta playing first base tonight….
Crazy moves all through the organization….Hector Rondon is being moved to the bullpen at Akron!!! Could see him in Cleveland within a month!
But back to the big league club…..love how in Toronto LaPort played LF, Garko 1B, and Francisco DHed……today in Cleveland Laporta is at 1B, Garko is DHing, and Francisco is in LF……
I think Wedge has ADD…..
I just hope Carroll doesn’t start 4 days a week over the likes of Valbuena like looch has over LaPorta recently…
Well, to be fair, Carroll is pretty decent at baseball.
I really cannot believe that Rondon is being moved to the bullpen … if that doesn’t reek of desperation but Shappy and Wedgie I don’t know what else would
[...] Roster Change #1 brought Carroll back off the DL and sent down [...]