Veteran infielder Darwin Barney will manage the Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate in Nashville next season, as per a team press release. The 34-year-old Barney is taking on his first coaching or managerial job, following a playing career that saw him appear in parts of eight MLB seasons.
Barney hit .246/.294/.341 over 2759 career plate appearances and 814 career games with the Cubs, Dodgers, and Blue Jays from 2010-17. While his numbers at the plate weren’t anything special, Barney’s outstanding glovework earned him a spot as Chicago’s regular second baseman in the early part of the decade. Over 5113 career innings as a second baseman, Barney posted 53 Defensive Runs Saved and a +6.7 UZR/150. The 2012 campaign saw Barney post the third-highest (28) DRS total of any second baseman in the last 20 seasons, and Barney was duly was awarded a Gold Glove for his work that year.
Beyond the keystone, Barney also played third base and shortstop as he moved into a utility role later in his career, even amassing 50 innings as a left fielder for the 2016-17 Blue Jays. Barney signed on with the Rangers on a minor league deal prior to the 2018 season, but was released during Spring Training and didn’t catch on with any other clubs.
As per Baseball Reference, Barney earned roughly $10.25MM over his career. We at MLBTR wish Barney congratulations on a fine career and wish him all the best as he embarks on the next phase of his baseball life as a manager.
I remember watching him as a rookie in spring training and thought his glove work was phenomenal
That’s a hell of an offer. To go from never managing before, to your first gig being a AAA manager.
I read somewhere (while he was a Jay) that his teammates constantly praised him on his Baseball IQ, so good for him.
Just because a guy’s BB IQ is high doesn’t mean he’s going to be able to impart it on others. Name a better hitter than Ted Williams. He led the ’72 Rangers to a 54-100 record with a slash line of .217/.290/.290
That means absolutely nothing. Just because you’re the best at a position does not mean you’ll be a good teacher/manager. That’s two totally different aspects
Greg and Mike Maddux ring a bell?
What about Bill bellicheat? He sucked at football to comparison to being a coach.
It does sound surprising at first, but guys with similar resumes are getting MLB managerial jobs, and there’s much more risk there.
Reminds me of Craig Counsell.
Most of the lineups/usage/development direction will be covered by analytics and upper management. If he’s a good teacher this is a great move, Ron Washington had a massive influence on our A’s infield and making us a consistent playoff team. If Barney can use that gold glove knowledge to improve your prospects then this is a great hire.
Interesting. I’m a bit surprised he’s starting out at AAA level, but I think the Rangers did a smart thing here.
Come on – guy sucked as a player- he’ll suck as a manager
Keysox is an idiot. Good luck Barney, the Cubs should have kept you.
Dumbest comment of the week
Obvious troll is obvious
Keysox is not too big on baseball intelligence
Damn I feel old.
Cool , one of my favorite players to watch when I was a kid
You’re still a kid if you watched this guy play. He’s barely been out of the game and only played 8 years.
Thank god you were here to set the record sraight, Rev
“Ah, Kris Bryant, my childhood hero”
Soto was mine.
Mario?
Mine was Andre Dawson
This is so crazy. I literally randomly thought about “what happened to this guy” a few days ago. Good for him. I’m glad he is back in the game
Who has random thoughts of Darwin Barney????
Darwin Barney’s mom
this gets a “LoL”
Freud says hello.
Yawn
when i typed in barney in google the first item came up was a video of “barney takes a dump” lol!
That’s only because the Astros installed a hidden camera there
Lol….almost spit up my lunch I laughed so hard @riz! Thanks!!
/goes to Rangers AAA game. Hears man cussing the manager
/turns around. Sees Keith Law
Straight to AAA as a manger.
Impressive!
Look at David Ross……from DWTS Championship straight to the Cubs dugout as Manager !
Barney is a terrible dancer, that’s why he has to start in the minors.
Ross will suck as a manager
Cubs 4th place and canned after two years
One again, a creepy assinine remark from keysox. The guy is a know nothing classless idiot.
Amen!
Always known as high baseball IQ. Good pick by Rangers. Sam Flud in same path!
Another great Cal State Fullerton alumnus…..
Uhhhh he won back to back CWS titles with Oregon State
If you’re going to give the first managerial job to someone, then make it a minor league job like the Rangers did with Barney. You don’t give a major-league team with a short window to contend over to someone who’s never managed before at any level, as the Cubs did with Ross unless you expect him to be nothing more than a sock puppet for the GM (Epstein). Barney will be able make mistakes and grow as a manager, and in 2-3 years will probably get a major league job.. Ross will be looking for work in two years, and will probably end up as a local broadcaster on the new Cubs network.
Spoken like a true bitter old man
Darwin has certainly evolved