Pittsburgh Pirates shortstops where among some of the worst in baseball in 2011. Pirates shortstops combined to .241/.284/.326 with just two HR’s in 653 plate appearances. Their 1.3 WAR was good for 24th in baseball.

Enter Clint Barmes.

Barmes is the new Pirates' SS

The Pirates signed Barmes to a two-year, $10.5 million contract on Thursday according to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. Barmes spent last season with the Houston Astros and hit .244/.312/.386 with 12 HR’s in 495 PA’s. He really shined on defense with a 7.9 UZR.

Barmes is a clear upgrade over Ronny Cedeno and whatever other jabroni the Pirates trolled out to shortstop in 2011, but I always question signings like this. I always question teams who have little shot at winning who sign veterans, who won’t take them to the next level. The battle to finish .500 is a fight teams rarely win.

If the Pirates are going to make moves like signing a 33-year-old to a two-year deal, they better surround him with talent. Barmes is a glue guy. He’s a guy a team like Milwaukee should have signed. He’s a guy who if you surround him with talent, then he becomes a valuable piece of the puzzle. Barmes surrounded by Rod Barajas and Garrett Jones isn’t the answer.

I hope the Pirates go out and make some other moves this offseason. First and foremost, acquire someone who can pitch. If they don’t, Barmes represents just another veteran the Pirates have signed in their never ending quest to .500.

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By The Baseball Index