Barajas Switches Coasts

File this one under pointless acquisitions.

Brad Ausmus is one of the game’s worst hitters with a .225 wOBA and somehow A.J. Ellis has actually performed worse in more plate appearances. Ellis’ wOBA is .206 and his WRC+ is 24. The Dodgers do upgrade offensively as Rod Barajas is projected for a .289 wOBA the rest of the way, matching his current wOBA production.

The offensive upgrade is legitimate. Perhaps the goal is to make these final six weeks more enjoyable for the fan base. Intentions of Barajas being on either team’s playoff squad is misplaced. The Mets have about the same chances of making the postseason as the Dodgers and since Barajas is a free agent at year’s end, he doesn’t add any value beyond this season. As cruel as it may sound, the most valuable thing about Barajas might be his projected Type-B status. If the Dodgers offer arbitration and he declines, then finds another team willing to give him a major league deal, the Dodgers would net a sandwich pick.

There’s not much else to say from the Dodgers’ side besides that this deal looks better than the head-scratching Octavio Dotel move. One has to wonder what – if anything – this signals about the Dodgers’ thoughts on their playoff hopes. No simulations or projections required to realize that being 10 down with 38 games remaining is a rather impossible task.

Josh Thole has started most of the games at backstop for the Mets lately anyways, and since he is the best catcher mentioned in this piece, that should continue to be the plan. Credit the Mets for getting some cash in return, although it’s likely an inconsequential amount that nobody will remember in a month’s time.

Now back to baseball evens that will matter to the races.