According to Astros MLB.com beat writer Brian McTaggart, former Houston shortstop Clint Barmes has signed a two-year contract with the Pirates worth $10.5 million.
Report: Clint Barmes Signs Two-Year Deal With Pirates
The Pirates were in the market for a shortstop after declining the $3 million option on Ronny Cedeno's contract and making Cedeno a free agent.
Barmes previously played for Pirates manager Clint Hurdle in Colorado when Hurdle managed the Rockies; he was quoted in McTaggart's article:
“In talking with my agent and talking with the club, they were wanting to make a decision and they wanted to know by pretty much yesterday who their shortstop was going to be so they could continue to move on,” Barmes said. “It was one of those things they had a few others guys lined up behind me, and the way it was explained to me I was the first in line as far as who they wanted. They threw a great offer.“Barmes hit .244/.312/.386 in 123 games in 2011 as the Astros more-or-less regular shortstop; he hit 12 HR and drove in 39 runs after missing some of the early part of the season with a broken hand. His best full season was in 2009 for the Rockies when he hit 23 home runs with 76 RBI. Barmes will turn 33 during spring training, so this is no long-term fix for the Pirates; they are primarily looking for Barmes’ solid defense at shortstop.
According to McTaggart, if this deal is finalized by Wednesday, the Astros will get a compensation draft pick, since Barmes is a type-B free agent.
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