Blue Jays strengthen already strong D with Barney

Just because new acquisitions are no longer eligible to play for their new teams in the postseason doesn't mean that teams necessarily stop making trades after August 31st.  Though rare, September trades do happen from time to time; such a deal did transpire Sunday morning with the Toronto Blue Jays acquiring infielder Darwin Barney from the Los Angeles Dodgers for cash considerations or a player to be named later, though the latter looks more likely.

Barney spent most of 2015 playing in Triple-A Oklahoma City, and saw action in just two games for the Dodgers this season.  He has never even come close to being an average hitter --- his career-high wRC+ is just 79.  What the 2012 National League Gold Glove Award winner brings is stellar defense, which will come in handy as the Jays look to create separation between themselves and the New York Yankees atop the American League East standings.

With the injury to Troy Tulowitzki's shoulder, the Jays made this trade  to find a quick replacement for their star shortstop while he recovers heading toward the playoffs. Cliff Pennington will likely be the daily replacement for Tulo in the everyday lineup (as he was on Sunday) while Barney provides additional depth as a man off the bench.  He's a decent low-cost addition that ensures the Jays don't lose much off their bench depth while Tulo is down.

Barney should fit in well with the Blue Jays, who have benefited from good defense at second base all year long, regardless of whether it has been Ryan Goins, Devon Travis, or Pennington. In fact, everyone short of the three innings of Russell Martin (yeah, that was weird) the Jays have put at second have gotten the job done defensively.

While the benefits of the deal are admittedly minuscule, Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos seems to again have pulled the trigger on a decent in-season trade as he gave up little in terms of value to get a player who could play some minor dividends in a close race for first.

As an added bonus, we get the potential for more of this, but on turf:

Pretty.

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Joe Vasile is the Assistant General Manager and Radio Broadcaster for the Fayetteville SwampDogs of the Coastal Plain League. He also broadcasts UNC-Pembroke football and basketball.  For inspirational quotes, low carb meal ideas, fitness tweets, hot takes on the New York Mets and New York Football Giants, and general New Jersey-ness, follow Joe on Twitter @JoeVasilePBP.