Sunday, August 22, 2010

Dodgers claim Barajas off waivers

The Dodgers made a minor move today by acquiring veteran catcher Rod Barajas from the Mets. In exchange, the Dodgers have sent cash considerations.

Barajas had a good month of May to up his average to .269 with 11 homers and 30 RBIs. He was put on the 15-day DL with a strained oblique at the end of July, and his numbers have taken a nosedive regardless. He now checks in with a .225 average, 12 homers, and 34 RBIs.

I give the Dodgers credit for trying to stop the insanity of being forced to watch A.J. Ellis and Brad Ausmus catch. I like Ausmus, who's a solid veteran backup, but he's hitting .196 with no homers and 2 RBIs in 15 games after suffering from a bad back for most of the year. Ellis is just awful with a .176 average, no homers, and nine RBIs. Neither one of these two can throw out baserunners if their lives depended on it either.

Ellis will be optioned when Barajas arrives on Tuesday, says Joe Torre. Thank God for that.

Barajas will never win a batting title, but he at least has shown some pop when healthy. Plus the Dodgers didn't have to give up anyone to get him. It's worth a shot, though it will hardly make a different this year.

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