The Los Angeles Dodgers shockingly designated longtime catcher Austin Barnes for project Wednesday, and president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman defined why.
Extra information: Dodgers Pitcher Elects to Depart Group, Sign up KBO
The Dodgers known as up prime prospect Dalton Speeding to make his Main League debut, and in a corresponding transfer, DFA’d Barnes. In some ways, the transaction was a shock given Barnes had spent 11 seasons with the Dodgers and was thought-about a frontrunner within the clubhouse.
“Clearly Austin has been an enormous a part of this group for a very long time, he’s been in the course of a number of actually huge moments for us,” Friedman stated to The Los Angeles Instances’ Jack Harris. “His influence has been vital. So it was one of many tougher selections.”
Within the case of Speeding, the 24-year-old catcher had waited a number of years to affix the massive league workforce, however with Will Smith and Barnes on the roster, taking part in time probably would have been an extended shot.
“Rush has clearly been on our radar for a very long time when it comes to when and how one can introduce him to the key league workforce,” Friedman stated. “I believe with the enhancements we’ve seen yr over yr, coupled with being in a decent division race … I believe it falls consistent with our constant message of doing something and all the pieces we are able to to win.”
The Dodgers finally felt it was greatest to provide Speeding a chance now as he continues to grow to be the franchise’s subsequent catcher.
“The final mile of his improvement helps lead a significant league workers,” Friedman stated. “We felt like now could be the precise time to provide him that chance, and for us to study some issues about him that you would be able to’t know till they’re on the major-league degree, and for him to expertise the velocity of sport right here, which might be insightful for all of us when it comes to the subsequent set of issues to work on.”
The tough actuality of baseball is the game can be a enterprise, and the departure of Barnes highlighted the group’s intentions to win one other ring in 2025.
Learn extra: Dodgers’ Max Muncy Opens Up on ‘Robust’ Austin Barnes DFA
Picture Credit score: Matt Marton-Imagn Photographs
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