I liked the signing --

Over his career (9 years) compared to Cedeno (7 years), Barmes averages 100% more HR's per year and 50% more RBI's

And as you suggest, I think Barmes will do a much better job in the mental errors department too.

I remember the series I attended in July at PNC Park and Barmes was tough on us -- he hit really well, even though the astros generally sucked as a team.

I'm looking forward to seeing Barmes as a Bucco

loool

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I think Barmes is better defensively. Last year was the first time in his career Cedeno was above average defensively. Although Barmes has only had two seasons in his career when he was a full time shortstop he has always been above league average when he played it. He is less flashy than Cedeno with the leather but more steady. Barmes and Cedeno will probably both hit for the same .250ish average. But Barmes at least has the chance at double digit dingers and his plate discipline has been improving the last few years. He will draw a few more walks and strikeout significantly less often. I don't see the age thing being an issue. Cedeno is at his ceiling and I don't think Barmes skills are going to diminish during this two year deal. Barmes may only be a modest upgrade but it is an upgrade nonetheless. I think it was enough of an upgrade to make it worth paying an extra couple of million $$ for. I see it as a positive that the Bucs weren't satisfied with play they were getting at shortstop and were willing to spend some money to try and improve the position.

PNC Park is going to hurt Barmes' power, just like Barajas.

I like Barmes better then the other options kicked about, but he will have Cedeno power now, which was one of Cedeno's knocks.

Barmes is just okay. It screams lateral move to MAYBE slight upgrade. But two years? Threeish million more this season?

This is Hurdle. Barmes is a Hurdle guy. Hurdle clearly did not like Cedeno from all reports.

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Sham, I believe you are right. Cedeno was in Hurdle's doghouse from the outset, and I completely understood why. Though he seemed to turn it around and had a very decent year in the field, I think there is a suspicion that Cedeno could have been even better had he pushed himself. Just a thought and a theory.

I agree, this is his guy. I'm ok with that, and am willing, in this case, to give benefit of the doubt on the guy.

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Playing football was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. If I could go out today and suit up, I would do it.--Jack Butler

in the 2 Astros games I saw at PNC last year, I saw Barmes hit a HR, had a couple other hits, a few RBI's, and he was a tough out. And this was when the bucs were contending, not playing like shit.

We'll see how he likes PNC on a full time basis. I'm looking forward to it.

I know some are puzzled by the shitcanning of Cedeno, but the more I think about it, this is my speculation on the move...
Obviously, this is from the outside looking in, but it seemed to me that Cedeno too often had that "I don't give a shit" attitude. On a young team battling 19 seasons of failure, that type of sentiment can be poisonous. We've seen it here before!

As for Barmes, I'll admit he's intriguing. Steel said it...last season, he was a pain in the ass!

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Six callers ahead of us, Jimmy!

I'm not really puzzled by the shitcanning of Cedeno, as much as it created a need where there was none before. If Hurdle is happier with his guy, I'm down with it.

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Playing football was the greatest thing that ever happened to me. If I could go out today and suit up, I would do it.--Jack Butler

exactly -- it's the classic "addition by subtraction" idea to improve the clubhouse --

I remember how Barmes lit the league on fire for the Rockies to start his career. Avg way up over .400 for an extended period of time. Slug % taking league by storm. Eventually cooled off, but god damned he came out of nowhere

If he brings a fraction of that, he's a good sign

But........ IIRC, that was before steroid fallout where guys like Brady Anderson hit 9 HR 50 HR 12 HR in successive seasons.

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Colbert on the #Steelers RB situation: "Where we were in running game last year was indicative in the talent at the position.''