ST. LOUIS — On Monday, the St. Louis Cardinals made a strategic roster move, officially replacing promising young infielder Thomas Saggese with veteran utility man José Barrero. The decision was made to inject more experience and flexibility into the lineup as the team battles through a critical stretch of the season.
Saggese, who filled in admirably during shortstop Masyn Winn’s absence earlier this month, was optioned to Triple-A Memphis following a brief slump and after fulfilling his role as an emergency call-up. In his first taste of Major League action, Saggese impressed with a nine-game hitting streak but cooled off recently, going 0-for-6 over the weekend against the Brewers.
Needing more veteran stability, the Cardinals turned to the 27-year-old Barrero, who had been tearing it up at Memphis with a .299 batting average, four home runs, and five stolen bases in 23 games. Barrero’s ability to play both the infield and outfield made him the ideal candidate to take over Saggese’s roster spot.
Barrero, who previously played 139 MLB games with the Cincinnati Reds, joins the Cardinals in Cincinnati for a four-game series — ironically against his former team. He not only strengthens the Cardinals’ bench but also offers a much-needed right-handed bat option to complement the lineup, particularly against left-handed pitching.
“José’s versatility really gives us some options we needed,” manager Oliver Marmol said. “He’s a guy who can come in and play shortstop, center field, or even help us off the bench with speed and power.”
The move is part of the Cardinals’ ongoing efforts to balance youth development with maintaining competitiveness in a tight division race. While Saggese returns to Triple-A for further seasoning, Barrero steps in immediately to bolster the Major League roster.
