Pirates/MLB
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates have informed Clint Barmes agent Barry Meister that the team is open to resigning Barmes but he will need to hang tight for the time being, Inside Pittsburgh Sports has learned. The Pirates are actively scouring the free agent and trade market at shortstop for a potential “significant upgrade” as the team is not sold on Jordy Mercer, team sources say.
Barmes is viewed by team officials as more of a “Plan C or D” but the team remains open to resigning Barmes, though likely at a lesser price than the $5.5 million he made in 2012 and 2013. GM Neal Huntington confirmed that the door hasn’t been closed on Barmes at this point.
“We remain open to Clint Barmes remaining with the Pirates,” GM Neal Huntington told Inside Pittsburgh Sports on Wednesday.
The Pirates have checked in on some notable names on the free agent and trade front. Pirates officials quietly met with super agent Scott Boras at the GM Meetings.
The meeting had more to do than the Pirates making their interest known in at least discussing an extension with Boras about Pedro Alvarez. Pirates officials by the way appear to have little optimism of there being any traction on that front this winter.
Surprisingly, the Pirates are at least lurking in the Stephen Drew sweepstakes right now. The top shortstop on the market has drawn strong interest from the Pirates but because Drew is dragging that qualifying offer around, signing him remains a major longshot, though, the Pirates I’m told view him as a significant piece for them to take that next step. Drew is expected to land at least a four year, $40 million contract.
