I have railed against Clint Barmes more than anybody this miserable season. But check out his walks totals month by month:

April: 1
May: 1
June: 2
July: 2
August: 2
September: 9 walks

Yikes, 9 walks in a month, and 4 games to go. He's turned into Barry Bonds!

Okay, maybe not, but someone must have gotten through to him to change his approach. Or told him, "Look dude, the word has gotten out that you will swing at anything, so no one is throwing you strikes." He has hit 0.271 and 0.250 in August and September, his best two months of batting average. I can't believe I am defending him, but you can't pin the collapse on his second half performance. And whether it came from coaching or from his own insight, it is at least encouraging that he has finally been willing to change his (disasterous) approach.

I was hoping he would be replaced next year, but given his fielding skill, he may be better than anyone else we can acquire.