Barton, Gimemez Gone, Head on Board

Well, it took a few more days than I expected, but Aeros outfielder Brian Barton was finally promoted to Triple-A Buffalo after Sunday's game.

Good move for him, as he certainly deserves it after batting .314 (122-for-389) with 18 doubles, two triples, nine home runs, 59 RBI, 41 walks and of course, the Minor-League leading 28 hit-by-pitches in 106 games with the Aeros this season.

In fact, Barton's numbers across the board were as consistent as one can get. He hit .303 agaianst left-handers and .317 against righties. He hit .315 in 50 home games and .313 in 56 road games.

The same day Barton said goodbye to his Akron teammates, the Aeros received infielder Chris De La Cruz from Class-A Kinston. Honestly, I'm not sure what that move is all about. I even wonder if he'll be in town for more than a few days.

Then Monday, the team saw two more unexpected transactions as catcher/third baseman/outfielder Chris Gimenez (.221 in 30 games with six doubles and six home runs) was sent back to Kinston while first baseman Stephen Head is set to make his Akron debut Tuesday when the team kicks off a six-game home stand at Canal Park.

Head, the Tribe's No. 2 pick in the 2005 draft out of the Univ. of Mississippi, was batting just .251 in 102 games with Kinston.

Honestly, I expected to see third baseman Wes Hodges (batting .300 in 80 games with Kinston) before Head this season. Obviously, the Tribe brass doesn't bother to consult with me before making moves. Go figure.

Anyway, to me, Head's promotion indicates that injured-but-still-playing Jordan Brown will spend more time in the outfield than at first base and always-injured Michael Aubrey still can't handle every day first base duties.

The more things change, the more they stay the same, huh?