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Pirates Agree to Terms With Clint Barmes

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Buster Olney reports that the Pittsburgh Pirates are close to re-signing shortstop Clint Barmes.

Jon Heyman says the two sides have agreed to terms.

Clint Barmes will be returning to Pittsburgh. (Photo Credit: David Hague)
Clint Barmes will be returning to Pittsburgh. (Photo Credit: David Hague)

There were a lot of people who didn’t like Barmes being on the team the last two years. Some of that had to do with his salary, which ended up being more than he was worth. Some of that had to do with a lack in trust in advanced defensive metrics, which grade him highly. Barmes does have value, especially to a team like the Pirates who prioritize ground ball pitchers and defensive shifts.

Over the last three years, he has graded as the best defensive shortstop in the majors, according to UZR. He doesn’t do anything with the bat, but his defensive value makes him worth bringing back as a bench player. He also has value as a starter when extreme ground ball pitchers like Charlie Morton are on the mound.

Jordy Mercer is expected to get the bulk of the work at shortstop this year. Mercer is an offense-first shortstop with below average defense. That gives Barmes additional value as a late inning defensive replacement. One of the needs the Pirates had going into the Winter Meetings was a backup shortstop, and this fills that need. Considering his defensive skills and the ground ball approach the Pirates have, it’s hard to think of a better option for that role.

UPDATE 12:37 PM: Buster Olney says that Barmes gets one year and $2 M.

That’s a good value. He was worth $7.3 M over the last two years, including $3.1 M last year in a role that he will probably hold again in 2014.

UPDATE 2:51 PM: Bill Brink says that Barmes could get an extra $1 M based on games played.

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Tim Williams
Tim Williams
Tim is the owner, producer, editor, and lead writer of PiratesProspects.com. He has been running Pirates Prospects since 2009, becoming the first new media reporter and outlet covering the Pirates at the MLB level in 2011 and 2012. His work can also be found in Baseball America, where he has been a contributor since 2014 and the Pirates' correspondent since 2019.

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