It is reported that the Cubs have come to terms with .208 hitting second baseman
Darwin Barney. The new deal for a horrible 2013 campaign is $2.3 million - - -
a whopping RAISE from last year's $562,000 salary.
Who in their right mind gives a player a 300 percent RAISE after posting a negative 0.5 WAR
(which is less than a AAA replacement player value)??!
This goes to show that the Boston Way Epstein was used to (overspending to overcompensate for problems) is alive and well on the North Side.
It also goes to show that there is a serious disconnect between the front office's performance and player value formulas. Or that the Cubs have gone back to "hope" that a player will suddenly turn back the clock and play like he did two or more years ago.
Barney may be a nice guy. A good clubhouse leader. A good press interview. The face of the franchise. A popular bobblehead. But he is not a quality second baseman.
In his best season, 2012, the Cubs lost 101 games. He had a career best 3.6 dWAR. Last year, that even slipped to 1.5 dWAR.
