July 15th, 2019 at 10:00 am 
by 0799291000348 It would be a simple switch: Option veteran catcher Austin Barnes to Triple-A Oklahoma City and recall 24-year old catcher Will Smith, the team’s fourth overall ranked prospect. The move is long overdue and would immediately improve the Dodgers offense without compromising their defense behind the plate.
Through July 15, Barnes is slashing .203 / .298 / .346 / .644, with nine doubles, one triple, five home runs and 19 RBI in the 64 games in which he has appeared thus far this season.
(Video capture courtesy of ESPN)
Smith’s Triple-A slash-line is .282. / 384 / .605 / .989, with 11 doubles, two triples, 16 home runs and 44 RBI through 54 games played. In the nine games that Smith appeared in with the major league Dodgers, he slashed .269 / .345 / .654 / .999, with one double, no triples, three home runs and six RBI.
Adding Smith to the lineup may breathe some needed spark to an offense that has been stagnant for a couple of weeks. It may also send a not-so-subtle reminder to the other Dodgers (Kiké Hernandez in particular) that there are prospects like Matt Beaty and Gavin Lux who are ready, willing and able to take their place in the lineup in a heartbeat.
It isn’t as though the Dodgers would be tossing Barnes away, his one remaining minor league option would allow him to work out his near-Mendoza-line offensive struggles at OKC. He would also be but a phone call away, should the Dodgers need him in a pinch before rosters expand on September 1.
There is no logical (or justifiable) argument for keeping Smith at OKC and Barnes in LA. It is past time for Friedman to make this very simple – and much needed – roster change.
As a popular shoe company would say:
“Just Do It.”
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Posted in 
I’m gonna keep beating this dead horse (poor horsey, lol) until Andrew Friedman or someone up in Dodger management finally gets “da memo”: DODGERS ARE NOT GONNA WIN A WORLD SERIES THIS YEAR WITHOUT WILL SMITH STARTING FULL-TIME BEHIND THE PLATE!!!!!!
They already know Barnes is not the answer and have known for some time now. And with Chris Taylor possibly looking at IL time with that fastball he took just above his left wrist in that marathon series finale against Boston last night, perfect opportunity to bring up Smith and leave him on the parent club roster for good. Truth be told, I thought Barnes was gonna be the one to get dealt to the Angels in light of what happened to their starting C Jonathan Lucroy recently. As of now, his only two options are trying to rebuild what’s left of his brand manning 2B (his best position still from what I’ve seen of him over the years) or going back to AAA OKC and REALLY work on ironing out his horrendously long swing once and for all. Either way, Barnes is not gonna remain a Dodger for much longer. Don’t need another Logan Forsythe problem cropping up again on this current squad!
I don’t think Barnes would still be on the Dodgers if it weren’t for the 14 1/2 game lead.
Pictures are worth 10,000 words. Look closely at the position of Barnes’ head and compare it to the position of Smith’s in the other photo? Enough said. Failing to keep your head down to watch bat connect with ball is the root of many hitters (and golfers) problems. FIX IT!