The Pittsburgh Pirates have limited funds to work with and they have already signed catcher Rod Barajas and shortstop Clint Barmes for the starting lineup. They still have a big hole at 1B and here are the three guys I think they should sign:

1. Carlos Pena - The Pirates are trying to re-sign Derrek Lee, but it that doesn’t come through….they should sign Carlos Pena. The Pirates don’t have any player on their team with big time power. Pena would hit at least 30 HRs in 2012 for the Pirates, while playing Gold Glove defense at 1B…..making the rest of the infield better.

2. Aaron Miles - The Pirates could use a versatile player for the bench that hits for a high batting average. Miles would also be a decent insurance policy at 3B if Pedro Alvarez flounders again in 2012.

3. Brad Penny - Brad Penny can still throw the heck out of the baseball. A return to the National League could spark him to getting back on the right track.

The Pirates have signed 32-year old righty swinging shortstop Clint Barmes to a 2-year, $10.5 million dollar deal. Barmes played in 123 games for the Astros last year and he was 109 for 446 (.244 avg, .698 OPS) with 47 runs scored, 12 homers, 39 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. He has now played in 788 games in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 691 for 2,737 (.252 avg, .703 OPS) with 339 runs scored, 73 homers, 324 RBIs and 42 stolen bases. Barmes is a solid defensive shortstop with some pop in his bat. I think the Pirates might have overpaid Barmes a little bit, but he is a clear improvement over Ronny Cedeno.

The Pirates have designated 26-year old righty swinging catcher Eric Fryer for assignment. Fryer played in 10 games for the Pirates in his first taste of the majors last season and he was 7 for 26 (.269 avg, .614 OPS) with 5 runs scored, 0 homers, 0 RBIs and 1 stolen base. He also played in 75 games in AA+AAA-ball last year in which he was 63 for 231 (.273 avg, .807 OPS) with 40 runs scored, 7 homers, 27 RBIs and 4 stolen bases.

UPDATE: (11/23/2011) - Eric Fryer has cleared waivers and has been outrighted to AAA. He will have a shot next spring to win the backup catcher job behind Rod Barajas.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have designated 26-year old lefty swinging outfielder Xavier Paul for assignment. Paul played in 121 games for the Pirates last year and he was 59 for 232 (.254 avg, .642 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 2 homers, 20 RBIs and 16 stolen bases. He has now played in 183 games in his first three years in the majors and he is 93 for 378 (.246 avg, .629 OPS) with 49 runs scored, 3 homers, 32 RBIs and 19 stolen bases. Paul might not make it through waivers, so the Pirates will likely try to deal him.

UPDATE: (11/29/2011) - The Pirates have released Xavier Paul.

The Pirates have claimed 26-year old lefty swinging catcher Brian Jeroloman off waivers from the Blue Jays. He played in 79 games in AAA-ball last year and he was 65 for 271 (.240 avg, .631 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 2 homers, 26 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Jeroloman played in 516 games in his first six years in the minors and he was 399 for 1,631 (.245 avg, .725 OPS) with 201 runs scored, 26 homers, 192 RBIs and 4 stolen bases. Jeroloman will get the chance to compete next spring for the backup job behind Rod Barajas.

UPDATE: (11/21/2011) - The Pirates have designated Brian Jeroloman for assignment to make room on the roster for recently signed shortstop Clint Barmes.

UPDATE: (11/23/2011) - The Blue Jays claimed Brian Jeroloman back off waivers from the Pirates.