General manager Neal Huntington confirmed that, internally, Barmes ranked third on the team's list of free-agent shortstops, behind Jose Reyes and Jimmy Rollins. Unwilling to get into a bidding war for Reyes or Rollins, the Pirates immediately set their sights on Barmes.
The odds of the Pirates getting into a bidding war over Rollins or Reyes is about the same as me hitting the lottery tomorrow, three times.
As with Rod Barajas, I give Huntington credit in that he targeted his player and went and got him rather quickly. I just happen to disagree with the player he liked.
Barmes, 32, will make $10.5 million over two seasons. $5 million this season and $5.5 next season. Yes that does make him the current highest paid Pirate on the roster and perhaps the most overpaid.
Barmes, a righty, hit 12 home runs last season and has a well regarded glove. His home runs, despite playing in the favorable Minute Maid Park, did not tilt towards Houston. In fact he hit only 5 homers there, 2 of his 12 came here at PNC. There is some to like with Barmes.
What I don't like is perhaps what he cannot control. One he is 32 and eventually time will catch up to him. Maybe not this season, but perhaps next. Once time catches up, that range that you like now, might not be there in the field. The other clearly has nothing to do with Barmes, as other free agents Neal Huntington has brought in have failed miserably. Ramon Vasquez, Eric Hinske, Lyle Overbay, Ryan Church, the list goes on and on.
All that aside, Barmes might not be the best option, nor really the worst. He just might be the Pirate option. Kind of good, kind of bad, irritating at times, a joy to watch at others. He might be a steadier presence than Cedeno, but might be more likely to fall off with his production.
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