Catcher Michael Barrett has accepted the Padres’ offer for arbitration, taking him off the free agent market. He should end up on a reasonable one year, $5MMish deal, and the Padres will explore trade options.
Ken Rosenthal names the Rays and Pirates as interested parties. Barrett is a lot more attractive to those clubs now that they don’t have to surrender draft picks to get him. Rosenthal says a mid-level prospect would do the trick. At one point this winter the Marlins were said to have interest; Barrett would be their highest-paid player.
