Los Angeles Dodgers: Three players who are stuck in between this winter

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3. Austin Barnes

Dodger fans likely do not want to see much of Austin Barnes in 2019. Barnes was very disappointing after being given the starting catching nod with the departure of Yasmani Grandal and was subsequently replaced by Will Smith later in the season.

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It is a shame, too, as Barnes has potential. He had a really good 2017 in a reduced role that sparked the promise of him being an impact player behind the dish in 2019. That ultimately was not the case as he ended up hurting the Dodgers’ offense more than helping it.

Barnes hit .203 with a .633 OPS in 242 plate appearances this season. He only had 10 fewer strikeouts (56) than he had walks and hits combined (66).

Barnes did decent in Triple-A after being demoted and hit .264 with six home runs and 17 RBIs in 104 plate appearances. It was no surprise when he was left off the postseason roster in favor of Smith and Russell Martin.

However, the Dodgers now have a question to answer at the catching position. Smith is undoubtedly the starting catcher heading into 2019, but the Dodgers need to address his backup.

Martin is a free agent and if the Dodgers opt not to re-sign him then they are going to have to make a decision. Will they go out and bring in a different veteran catcher to back up Smith or are they going to give Barnes one last chance as a backup catcher?

There is no point in stashing Barnes in Triple-A and they might as well trade or release him to allow the catching prospects to get playing time.

Next. Why a Joc Pederson trade makes sense this winter. dark

Those same prospects, such as Keibert Ruiz, are not yet big-league ready, which creates the decision in the first place for the Dodgers.

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