Trail Droppings 2042-12 Pioneers Sign Barrera and Marin

[indiansfan]

Pioneers Sign Barrera and Marin

Calgary made a big move in free agency signing the #2 catcher available, Luis Barrera, to a 1 year deal for $13.5 million. Barrera will become the Pioneers starting catcher, at least against right handed hitters. This means that Hector Serrano, the starter for the past 3 seasons, will go back to being a backup.

Barrera has played for several teams during his 12 year BBA career, most recently with Yellow Spring. He hit .278, with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs and a .909 OPS with the Nine. He brings something the team hasn’t had much of, a player with a good OBA. Barrera’s career OBA is .352.

The 33 year old started his career in Madison where he played for 6 seasons before being dealt to Huntsville (now Chicago) in a deal that Madison would like to have back. After a few years there he became a free agent in 2038 and has changed teams yearly after that.

“I think with Luis you know what you are going to get,” said GM Dickson after the signing. “He is going to hit .260 to .280, get on base and hit 20-25 homers for you. He also gives us another vet in the dugout.”

While not a big power hitter, Barrera is consistent. He has hit 20 or more homers in 10 seasons with a high of 28. The 2030 Gillstrom winner hasn’t amassed a lot of hardware since, although he does have 1 Zimmer and 2 all star nods during his career.

The other free agent signing was Martin Marin, a power hitting left fielder, who will be the right handed part of platoon at DH with Werner McConnell, Jr.. Marin has been in the league 8 seasons, splitting his time between Phoenix and Omaha. From 2037-2039 he hit 123 homers for the Hawks, before falling out of favor the past 2 seasons.

“I’ve always liked Marty. Of course I like guys that can hit the ball a long way,” Dickson said. “He has been on our radar for awhile and it just made sense to go out and get him.”

There has been some controversy since the team signed Marin and also traded for a Mahdi Kojo to fill the same role. Assistant GM Alfonso Martinez has gotten some heat for his role in the signing of Marin.

The Pioneers don’t have a history of signing free agents to 1 year deals, but it appears that the team is looking to increasing it’s odds of picking up supplemental picks with these short term acquisitions.

[RonCo]

I liked Barrera a lot, but not for that kind of cash, and not when I had J-rod ready behind him.