Barney's takeaway from Rangers-Blue Jays brawl: 'Don't scrap with the wrong cat'

Darwin Barney reported to Texas Rangers spring training Sunday fully aware of what lies ahead of him, and what was behind him when he signed a minor-league deal.

Barney was at Globe Life Park on May 15, 2016, as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays when Rougned Odor popped Jose Bautista at second base to start a benches clearing brawl.

Barney said that the incident crossed his mind but in no way acted as a deterrent when deciding whether to sign with the Rangers. In other words, he has no desire and no plans to get even with Odor.

"Don't scrap with the wrong cat," Barney said. "Baseball is very competitive, and the stuff you see out there, it might not matter as much after the game as during the game. But it happens. At the end of the day we're all professionals."

Barney's only chance to make the team is as a utility infielder or could give days off to, among others, Odor or enter late in games as a defensive replacement for Odor. Barney's calling card is his glove, as the Gold Glove on his mantle would indicate.

He knows who he is.

"Anytime you're in big-league camp and you're over the age of 30, it feels like a good opportunity these days," Barney said. "The young bucks are coming. I'm not blind to my talent level or anyone else's talent level in here. I think it's going to be a fit issue. Do they see the fit? Do they not?"

This story was originally published February 18, 2018 at 11:26 AM with the headline "Barney's takeaway from Rangers-Blue Jays brawl: 'Don't scrap with the wrong cat'."