Padres make deal for catcher who can slug; Barrett acquired from Cubs for Bowen, Burke

By: JOHN MAFFEI - Staff Writer | Thursday, June 21, 2007 12:39 AM PDT ∞

SAN DIEGO -- To the casual fan, Michael Barrett is better known for his non-playing activities -- a fight last season with White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski, a televised dugout altercation this season with Cubs pitcher Carlos Zambrano and harsh words two weeks ago with Cubs left-hander Rich Hill.

What the Padres see in Barrett is a veteran catcher with offensive sock from the right side.

So when the Cubs phoned Padres general manager Kevin Towers last week with a list of players available for trades, Barrett's name stood out.

"It got my attention," Towers said.

One week after Cubs general manager Jim Hendry initiated talks with Towers, the teams struck a deal on Wednesday, with the Padres acquiring Barrett for catcher Rob Bowen and minor league outfielder Kyler Burke, the 35th player taken in the 2006 draft. The Padres also got in excess of $1 million to offset Barrett's salary.

"The Cubs initiated this," Towers said. "We weren't looking for a deal, but Jim Hendry said they were looking to shake things up in Wrigleyville.

"What we see in Barrett is a right-handed hitter who hits left-handers very well. His name stood out. This is a good fit."Ý

In 10 big-league seasons, Barrett carries a .267 average with 209 doubles, 95 homers and 401 RBIs. He has 16 home runs in each of the last three seasons.

This season, Barrett was hitting .256 with nine doubles, nine homers and 29 RBIs in 57 games.

Obviously, he can hit. But what about the other stuff?

"What we see is a highly intense player who wants to win," Towers said. "We don't condone fighting or brawling, but a player with an edge to him isn't such a bad thing."

Barrett, who was informed of the trade Wednesday morning in Texas, caught the first flight out and was in San Diego in the afternoon and ready to play.

"I was pretty surprised," Barrett said of the deal. "Is it a relief? Yes and no.

"The last couple of weeks, a lot of things have happened. Now I have an opportunity to come to a great organization.

"Honestly, I don't look at it as what I did wrong to have the Cubs get rid of me. I look at it as what I did right to come to this organization."

Where Barrett fits in was a question for manager Bud Black.

A switch-hitter, Josh Bard is the team's No. 1 catcher. But he's a better hitter left-handed.

"Michael Barrett makes our team better," Black said. "He's a good hitter, a guy who can hit in the fifth or sixth spot, possibly fourth.

"Bard understands that the Padres are better with this acquisition. I told Josh, he and Michael will make a great tandem."

Barrett caught Padres right-hander Greg Maddux in Chicago last season and caught Jake Peavy last spring in the World Baseball Classic.

He considers Peavy a friend.

"He's not just a good catcher, but a good player," Maddux said of Barrett. "He can catch, he calls a good game, and he plays the game right.

"He has a good demeanor with the pitchers. And it helps he has caught us before."

Black said Barrett will start today against Baltimore left-hander Erik Bedard.

-- Contact staff writer John Maffei at (760) 740-3547 or jmaffei@nctimes.com.