A .140 average for an MLB regular?! Breaking down ...
Key takeaways
- Consider Patrick Bailey, who's widely regarded as the best defensive catcher in baseball and is a two-time Gold Glove winner in 2024 and 2025, and pitch-framing master.
- Needing to improve the offense, and with two rookie catchers ready for more playing time, the Giants traded Bailey to the Cleveland Guardians on May 9.
- "Just as a whole, we're trying to find ways to get more runs on the board."
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
How bad can an MLB player hit and still stay in the lineup? We take a look at what history says and what it means for Patrick Bailey and other struggling regulars in 2026. Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire David Schoenfield May 27, 2026, 07:00 AM ETClose Covers MLB for ESPN.com Former deputy editor of Page 2 Been with ESPN.com since 1995Multiple Authors Email Print Open Extended Reactions With the MLB batting average sitting at .239, the lowest since 1968, and home runs falling to their lowest per-game rate since 2015, managers across baseball are facing this question: How bad can an excellent defensive player hit and remain in the lineup?
Consider Patrick Bailey, who's widely regarded as the best defensive catcher in baseball and is a two-time Gold Glove winner in 2024 and 2025, and pitch-framing master. His San Francisco Giants had a big problem in early May, as they weren't scoring runs and Bailey was hitting .146 with one home run in 30 games.
Needing to improve the offense, and with two rookie catchers ready for more playing time, the Giants traded Bailey to the Cleveland Guardians on May 9.