Chicago Cubs second baseman Darwin Barney is making a strong push for a Gold Glove, writes Patrick Mooney of CSNChicago.com.
Barney, 26, came up through the Cubs' system as a shortstop, only to be moved to second base when Starlin Castro burst onto the scene. Barney hasn't had much of a problem with the transition, though; he has not made an error in 108 games, and has only two this season in 565 chances. In addition, Barney leads the leads the National League in defensive wins above replacement, which has heavily weighed into his ranking of eighth overall in WAR.
Cubs' manager Dale Sveum is in full support of his second baseman, adding that there's more to Barney than just the errorless streak:
"It's the range he's showed and the ability to have everything in his tool box - going to his right, going to his left, everything. Right now, there's no doubt in my mind that he should win a Gold Glove."
Barney's glove more than makes up for his bat, which is a bit below league average thus far in 2012; his batting line through Wednesday's action is .262/.303/.378, good for a .681 OPS.
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