Chris Burke, Josh Barfield

[PhilliesPhan24]

I need some opinions on these guys if possible.

Where does Barfield player? Does he play or get traded?

Is Burke a full-time starter next year for the Astros?

What kind of numbers can these guys put up?

[Jagfan21]

Look for Burke if the Rocket actually does retire this team...right now hes their #6 man

[PhilliesPhan24]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/p ... atsId=7057

Are we talking the same Burke?

[Dawgpound 1613]

Barfield is blocked by Loretta. I think this is Loretta's last year in his contract, but don't know for sure. Barfield struggled early in AAA, but has hit well the last month or so. He still needs to work on his plate discipline (strikes out too much), but, should be a solid 2B. I wouldn't be surprised to see him starting for SD in 2006, possibly with Loretta at 3B.

As for Burke, the issue is Biggio. He is a fan favorite who is closing in on 3000 hits. He's playing 2B, which is Burke's natural position. While Burke has been playing a little OF, he is not a CF. As such, he really can only play LF (presuming Berkman in right and Tavares in CF). Yet, the Astros have Lane as well, which cuts into his PT. They have gotten around that a little by playing Berkman at 1B during Bagwell's injury, but come 2006, if Bagwell returns, that won't be an option. As such, while I think Burke is ready for a full-time job now, he needs for Biggio to go (so he can move to 2B) or for Lane to get traded to open up a full-time job.

My opinion on skills - Barfield will have a little more power and Burke a little more speed. If Barfield can cut down on his Ks, he could have a better average, but right now I'd go with Burke as having better potential in that category.

[PhilliesPhan24]

What are the odds, for each player, on being a full-time guy next year?

[Dawgpound 1613]

I would guess that Barfield has a 90% probability of getting the chance to be a full-time starter. Obviously, if he slumps in AAA the rest of the year, has a bad ST, stumbles out of the block, etc., he could lose that chance. But my impression is that SD plans for him to start in 2006. The key here is Loretta - see what they do with him in the off-season.

As for Burke, since Biggio is likely to return (to go for 3000 as an Astro), and presuming Lane isn't traded, I'd say about a 70-75% probability of getting the chance to be a full-time starter. Same caveats as Barfield, but I just think that Biggio will be harder to displace than Loretta, though if Burke plays well the rest of this year, that % goes up. Again, the keys in the off-season are what they do with Biggio and Lane, and possibly Ensberg (as Burke "might" be able to play 3rd).