Jose Barrero, a versatile infielder and outfielder, officially became a free agent after clearing waivers and rejecting a minor league assignment from the St. Louis Cardinals. The move followed his recent designation for assignment by the team. Barrero is now exploring opportunities across Major League Baseball and has already received interest from at least one team in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), suggesting an overseas move is under serious consideration.
Barrero, 27, saw limited playing time with the Cardinals in 2025, appearing in 22 games but recording just 31 plate appearances. He struggled to make an impact offensively, finishing with a slash line of .138/.194/.276. Though once regarded as a top prospect, Barrero has yet to find consistent success at the major league level, compiling a career batting line of .182/.238/.257 across 478 MLB plate appearances. He previously spent time with the Cincinnati Reds, who originally signed him out of Cuba, before joining the Cardinals.
While his major league production has fallen short of expectations, Barrero has built a more encouraging track record in Triple-A. Over five seasons at that level, he has hit .247/.324/.475, including a standout 2025 stint with the Cardinals’ Triple-A affiliate in Memphis, where he slashed .299/.396/.517 in 101 plate appearances. Across 252 Triple-A games, he has tallied 51 home runs and stolen 48 bases in 56 attempts — an impressive 86% success rate.
Defensively, Barrero has remained primarily a shortstop, logging over 5,100 innings at the position. However, his versatility has grown in recent years. He has also played nearly 300 innings at second base, 94 innings at third base, and 719 innings in center field — showcasing his ability to contribute across the field. Despite concerns surrounding his high strikeout rate, particularly the 30% mark in Triple-A, Barrero offers a compelling mix of speed, power, and positional flexibility that could attract both MLB clubs and international teams looking to add dynamic depth.
