Barton at 3rd?

Did the A's ever consider Daric Barton as a 3rd base candidate? I know that he came up as a catcher before transitioning to 1st base. Given this lost season, the presence of Carter and Dolittle (though he's listed as an outfielder), would it make sense to move Barton to the hot corner and prep him for next year?

over 2 years ago CarneyLansfordFan 9 comments 0 recs |

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I don't have a link for reference

but I definitely remember hearing that Barton got some action at 3rd base a few years ago (before he made his major league debut). The conclusion was that he just can’t hack it there. Of course, people also used to say that he would have below average defense at 1B and that doesn’t seem to be the case now.

by colin on Jun 17, 2009 1:03 PM PDT reply actions

In 2006 or 2007 they were definitely trying him out at 3B in Sacramento but I don’t think it went very well.

I remember reading somewhere that he played the position in high school, and then there was that time (I think last year?) that he had to play a couple innings in the hot corner.

That might be a project that only Wash could take on though..

love, mike

by oakland ehs on Jun 17, 2009 5:14 PM PDT reply actions

I have no problem with this move

He also might take the defense there more seriously, now that he’s no longer the hot prospect he was.

They're called RUNS for a reason.

by connie mack on Jun 17, 2009 5:55 PM PDT reply actions

win win

I like the idea of Barton at 3rd. We have no upcoming 3b prospects and he can’t be worse offensively than Hannahan.

by batterbatter on Jun 17, 2009 10:20 PM PDT reply actions

+1

As unlikely as it is that this is even explored, we have absolutely nothing to lose.
Very good point about Barton having the reputation as a bad defensive 1B prior to last season. Who knows?

http://www.myspace.com/ryanmac10

by RyanFromBonas on Jun 18, 2009 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions

WHERE, oh WHERE have I heard somebody talk about this before?

"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."

by mikev on Jun 18, 2009 4:09 PM PDT reply actions

Barton

I do not think Barton is a MLB calibre hitter. He has improved defensively , but he does
not have the power to be a 1st or 3rd base player. I think we would spend a lot of time
for nothing. What A’s need is RH power some one like Swisher.OMG did I just say that?

by Graybeard on Jun 19, 2009 11:04 AM PDT reply actions

Swisher is a switch hitter...

Barton is also definately a major league calibre hitter.

by OldhamA on Jun 20, 2009 6:37 AM PDT up reply actions

Actually…how about Barton at Sacramento instead? There is absolutely no way this kid should be in the majors right now. He’s horrendous, needs another full season or two at Sacramento.

by ATLDuck on Jun 24, 2009 7:06 AM PDT reply actions