Pirates Sign Rod Barajas

The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced they signed free-agent catcher Rob Barajas to a one-year contract with an option for 2013, multiple sources report (Crasnick | Morosi | Biertempfel). Tim Brown of Yahoo sports is reporting that the contract is for $4 million in 2012 and the option is $3.5 million in 2013.

Barajas is a career .238 / .284 / .414 hitter, and was claimed off waivers by the Dodgers in exchange for cash with the the Mets in 2010. This marks his seventh professional club, which includes stops in Arizona (where he began his career and spent five seasons), Texas, Philly, Toronto and the previously mentioned Mets and Dodgers.

The Dodgers will receive a compensatory draft pick for losing Barajas, a Type B free agent, but the Pirates won't have to give up any draft picks of their own.

This move replaces Ryan Doumit and Chris Snyder after the Pirates declined club options following the 2011 season.