Barton in Oakland next year?

[Providence A's]

I doubt it, but:

Jayson Stark thinks so...

Hayes invokes the name Tony Gwynn when he describes Barton's pure, inside-out stroke. A's assistant GM David Forst says: "We evaluate him as one of, if not the best young hitter in the minor leagues. What he did last year in the Midwest League, at 18 years old, was as good as anyone who has played in that league since Albert Pujols."

[A's Baby Girl]

Wow, Forst actually compared him to Pujols? In the minors anyway...

I dunno, I was watching a little bit of the Futures game yesterday and during Barton's AB, Peter Gammons also said he thinks Barton will be in the OF next year. I guess we'll have to wait and see...I would think that would increase the possibility of Byrnes getting dealt by the deadline.

[Providence A's]

I can't see him playing the OF for this team...at least not for very long. I think he's gonna be DHing for a while when he comes up...which I still don't think will be until 2007.