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Former Dodgers Catcher Austin Barnes Signs With Mets on Minor League Deal
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- Former Dodgers Catcher Austin Barnes Signs With Mets on Minor League Deal
Former Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes has signed a deal with the New York Mets ahead of the 2026 season.
Barnes will head to one of L.A.'s biggest rivals on a minor league deal. The deal includes an invitation to spring training.
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Apr 20, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes (15) against the New York Mets before the start of game at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-USA TODAY Sports
How Will Austin Barnes Be Remembered After His 11-Year Run With the Dodgers?
The 36-year-old was DFA'd by the club in mid-May after 11 seasons in L.A. He joined the team in 2015 and has been an integral part of the Dodgers, including catching the final out of the 2020 World Series, which ended the team's dreaded 32-year drought.
At the start of the 2025 season, Barnes struggled mightily, hitting .214 in 13 games with the Dodgers. L.A.'s offense was not where it was supposed to be, and with his struggles, it made it easier for L.A. to part ways with its long-time catcher.
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After he was DFA'd by the Dodgers, he signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants in late June. In 13 appearances split between the Rookie-level Arizona Complex League Giants and Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, he went 8-for-39 with two RBIs.
The Giants organization released Barnes on August 1.
The Riverside native had spent his entire career in Los bgels before being DFA'd. In his time in L.A., Barnes slashed .223/.322/.338 with a .660 OPS, 80 OPS+, along with 35 home runs, 162 RBIs, and 338 hits in 1757 plate appearances and 612 games.
Barnes mainly served as the backup catcher for the club and has come up big in crucial spots throughout his tenure.
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The Miami Marlins originally drafted him in the ninth round of the 2011 MLB Draft. However, he did not play with their major league club; he spent time with their Low-A, Single-A, High-A, and Double-A clubs. With the Marlins organization, he split time between catcher and second base.
