He may soon find himself on both ends of one of baseball’s most intense rivalries.
The veteran catcher, who spent parts of 11 seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers, has reportedly signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants, according to FanSided’s Jeff Young.
He will begin his stint in the Arizona Complex League as he ramps up for a potential minor league assignment, likely with Triple-A Sacramento.
Before being released by the Dodgers in May, Barnes appeared in 13 games this season, hitting .214/.233/.286 with two RBIs over 42 at-bats.
Why Did the Dodgers Release Austin Barnes?
Known for his defense behind the plate, Austin Barnes batted just .223 with 35 home runs and 162 RBIs over 1,516 at-bats during his time with the Dodgers. His offensive struggles continued this season, with his OPS falling to .519, prompting the Dodgers to designate him for assignment and make room for top prospect Dalton Rushing as Will Smith’s backup.
Barnes had been Clayton Kershaw’s personal catcher and was the team’s longest-tenured player at the time of his release.
His best year at the plate came in 2017, when he posted a .289/.408/.486 slash line with eight home runs and a career-high 38 RBIs.
If the Giants decide to bring him up to the majors, the Dodgers will remain responsible for the remainder of his \$3.5 million salary this season.
How Does Austin Barnes Fit With the Giants?
Because of his offensive struggles, Barnes likely won’t have a major role with the Giants. However, team president and former MVP catcher Buster Posey valued his veteran presence and experience behind the plate.
Starting catcher Patrick Bailey is batting just .196, while backups Andrew Knizner and Sam Huff have fared even worse in limited action. That instability could open the door for Barnes, who brings deep familiarity with the National League West.
San Francisco’s pitching staff is loaded with experience, including former Cy Young winners Robbie Ray and Justin Verlander, 2024 All-Star Logan Webb, and promising young arms like Landen Roupp and Hayden Birdsong.
As of Tuesday, the Giants led the National League and ranked second in MLB with a 3.39 team ERA. They also shared second place in quality starts with 40.
San Francisco sits in third place in the NL West at 45-40, trailing the defending champion Dodgers by eight games.
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