Former Dodgers World Series Champion Lands a Deal With Divisional Rival on Sunday
Former Dodgers World Series Champion Lands a Deal With Divisional Rival on Sunday originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
As the Los Angeles Dodgers turn towards younger prospects while continuing their pursuit of repeating as World Series champions in 2025, some well-known names haven't been with the team this season.
Advertisement
Former Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes was given the unfortunate news that Los Angeles was moving on from him on May 14, as he was released alongside Chris Taylor in a week's span.
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes (15) celebrates with designated hitter Chris Taylor (3) after scoring in the fifth inning as Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) reacts at Dodger Stadium.Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Los Angeles called up 2022 second-round pick Dalton Rushing earlier this season, showing that manager Dave Roberts was in pursuit of a different option at the catching position.
All-Star Will Smith has a secure position on the roster with his $140 million contract, so Austin Barnes, who was the guy on the hot seat, was let go to make Rushing the replacement for a struggling Barnes moving forward.
Austin Barnes would then take on free agency, and after over a month of searching for a new team to land on, it's been announced that the two-time World Series champion signed a minor league deal with the San Francisco Giants on Sunday night.
After serving his entire 11-year career with the Dodgers, Barnes will continue his baseball journey with Los Angeles' division rival.
Advertisement
Although Barnes sigend a minor league deal, he wil start with the Giants' Arizona Complex League team to get back into playing shape. He will likely be inserted into the Giants' 40-man roster sometime this season and provide depth for them in a struggling catcher position.
The two catchers the Giants have on roster, Patrick Bailey and Andrew Knizner, have both been struggling to find a groove this 2025 season.
Bailey currently has a .194 BA and Knizner has a .103 BA, so Austin Barnes will likely have a chance at appearing on the 40-man roster sometime within the season.
In the 42 at-bats Barnes appeared in for the Dodgers this season, he posted a .214 BA, .233 OBP, .286 SLG, and a .518 OPS while hitting two RBI.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
27 minutes ago
- New York Times
Nebraska beefs up O-line with pledges from 4-star Claude Mpouma, 3-star Leon Noil
LINCOLN, Neb. — Nebraska's recruiting class for 2026 has a new top-rated prospect. And newfound depth on the offensive line. Four-star offensive tackle Claude Mpouma of Chicago's Mount Carmel High School committed Monday to the Huskers. Hours earlier, three-star lineman Leon Noil of New Orleans Edna Karr joined the class. Advertisement Their additions bring the number of commits for Nebraska to 11, eight of whom were secured in June. Mpouma and Noil join June pledges Rex Waterman of Chandler, Ariz., and Hayden Ainsworth of Biloxi, Miss., to form a strong unit of reinforcements up front for O-line coach Donovan Raiola. Mpouma, at 6 feet 8 and 315 pounds, ranks as the most notable of the recruiting scores. He has played just one season of football and earned FBS offers from Kansas State, Miami (Ohio) and Marshall while competing only in basketball as a sophomore in 2024. Mount Carmel football coach Jordan Lynch, a former Heisman Trophy finalist at Northern Illinois, and Mpouma's high school classmates encouraged him to try football. Soon after he learned a few fundamentals and took his spot at left tackle, the scholarship offers piled up. His primary assignment? To protect quarterback Jack Elliott. Mpouma succeeded. The Vanderbilt signee accounted for seven touchdowns in the Illinois 7A state championship game, leading Mount Carmel to a third consecutive title. Mpouma visited Florida and Auburn before he took an official visit to Nebraska on June 20. He also listed Ohio State and Michigan as finalists. 'The family culture that the program emphasizes is big for me,' Mpouma said of Nebraska. Originally from Cameroon with a background in soccer, Mpouma moved to Chicago as an eighth-grader. He's ranked No. 169 overall and the No. 14 offensive tackle in the Class of 2026 in the 247Sports Composite. A key week for Nebraska in recruiting continues Tuesday with the anticipated decision of wide receiver Larry Miles of Winter Garden, Fla. Omaha North defensive back Darion Jones, the top in-state target of the Huskers, is set to announce his college choice on Friday. Iowa and Nebraska are the primary contenders for Jones.
Yahoo
29 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Knicks Expected to Show Interest in Suns' Free Agent Guard
Knicks Expected to Show Interest in Suns' Free Agent Guard originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Former New York Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau featured a playoff rotation that leaned heavily into his main contributors during the 2025 NBA Playoffs. The Knicks' need for depth is obvious. They will undoubtedly be looking to address that this offseason. Advertisement One of the spots that could use a boost on the roster is adding a true backup point guard into the mix. The Knicks are reportedly working on that already. The free agent market will offer an important battleground where New York can lay claim to a necessary upgrade. There will be a key name worth monitoring at the guard position. Jalen Brunson of the New York Penner-USA TODAY Sports Trusted Knicks reporter Ian Begley was asked about the free agent targets for the team this offseason. One of the key names he had on his list that was worth monitoring was Tyus Jones. Begley said, "You know, the Knicks, you look at what they have, they have this $5 million exception to offer free agents. They also have the veterans minimum exception. So they have some tools to go out there and talk to free agents with." Advertisement The Knicks insider continued, "I think Tyus Jones is a name that I'm keeping an eye on because last summer there was mutual interest between the Knicks and Jones. Jones was even willing to take a pay cut to come to New York." With the marriage between the reliable guard and Phoenix Suns not working out, Begley thought there would be every opportunity for the Knicks to reinsert themselves into the sweepstakes for Jones. "He ended up choosing Phoenix, thinking it would be a very good situation for him. [It] didn't work out," the reporter said. "So he's back on the market. I do think the Knicks will take a look at the backup guard market there on free agency." Jones has been a steady presence at the lead guard spot for every team he has been a part of. That would go a long way to boosting the Knicks' bench for the 2025-26 season. Advertisement Related: Knicks Could Pursue Celtics Champion After Recent Boston Trades Related: Major Update in New York Knicks' Head Coaching Search Emerges This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Associated Press
36 minutes ago
- Associated Press
WNBA All-Star Voting Results
FAN VOTING RESULTS: 2025 AT&T WNBA ALL-STAR GAME Fans accounted for 50 percent of the vote to determine the starters for the 2025 AT&T WNBA All Star Game, while current WNBA players and a media panel accounted for 25 percent each. Below are the top 40 finishers in the fan portion of WNBA All-Star Voting 2025 presented by Ally Rank Player (Team) Position Vote Total 1 Caitlin Clark (IND) Guard 1,293,526 2 Napheesa Collier (MIN) Frontcourt 1,176,020 3 Aliyah Boston (IND) Frontcourt 1,174,669 4 A'ja Wilson (LVA) Frontcourt 986,662 5 Breanna Stewart (NYL) Frontcourt 972,434 6 Paige Bueckers (DAL) Guard 805,471 7 Kelsey Mitchell (IND) Guard 753,368 8 Lexie Hull (IND) Guard 653,968 9 Sabrina Ionescu (NYL) Guard 583,428 10 Angel Reese (CHI) Frontcourt 506,741 11 Kiki Iriafen (WAS) Frontcourt 487,035 12 Natasha Howard (IND) Guard 465,166 13 Kelsey Plum (LAS) Guard 456,101 14 Satou Sabally (PHX) Frontcourt 456,025 15 Allisha Gray (ATL) Guard 441,346 16 Nneka Ogwumike (SEA) Frontcourt 398,608 17 Sophie Cunningham (IND) Guard 392,253 18 Gabby Williams (SEA) Frontcourt 383,411 19 Jonquel Jones (NYL) Frontcourt 354,669 20 Kamilla Cardoso (CHI) Frontcourt 296,079 21 Alyssa Thomas (PHX) Frontcourt 275,747 22 Dearica Hamby (LAS) Frontcourt 233,690 23 Rickea Jackson (LAS) Frontcourt 232,178 24 Damiris Dantas (IND) Frontcourt 230,772 25 Skylar Diggins (SEA) Guard 206,882 26 Jackie Young (LVA) Guard 205,997 27 Rhyne Howard (ATL) Guard 204,247 28 Brittney Sykes (WAS) Guard 204,028 29 DiJonai Carrington (DAL) Guard 191,319 30 Kayla Thornton (GSV) Frontcourt 184,285 31 Natasha Cloud (NYL) Guard 175,842 32 Arike Ogunbowale (DAL) Guard 172,576 33 Tina Charles (CON) Frontcourt 161,243 34 Kate Martin (GSV) Guard 155,957 35 Temi Fágbénlé (GSV) Frontcourt 150,852 36 Sonia Citron (WAS) Guard 148,202 37 Brittney Griner (ATL) Frontcourt 139,045 38 Marina Mabrey (CON) Guard 126,417 39 Makayla Timpson (IND) Frontcourt 121,183 40 Courtney Williams (MIN) Guard 117,255 _____
