Barajas becomes a Bucco: The Pirates signed free agent C Rod Barajas to a one-year deal worth $4 million on Thursday, according to Yahoo! Sports. It also includes a $3.5 million team option for the 2013 season. (Updated 11/10/2011)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
With both Ryan Doumit and Chris Snyder departing as free agents, it appears that Barajas will be the new first-string catcher in Pittsburgh. While his batting average and on-base percentage are too low to give him value in most mixed leagues, Barajas can help any owner looking for help in the home run category. At minimum, he will be a viable option for owners in NL-only leagues next year. (Updated 11/10/2011).
01/25/2012 10:56 2012 Fantasy outlooks: Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates made great strides (for them) in 2011, so what does the 2012 campaign have in store for their fans and Fantasy owners? Our al Melchior puts Pittsburgh under the Fantasy microscope.
Rod Barajas continued to struggle to hit for average last season but still provided owners with some decent pop in his first full season with the Dodgers. He batted .220 with eight homers and 21 RBI over his first 56 games before an ankle injury sidelined him in June. He would return a month later and hit eight home runs with 26 RBI over his final 42 games. Barajas signed a one-year deal with the Pirates in the offseason and should see the majority of the starts behind the plate in 2012. At age 36, he can no longer catch every day so expect Michael McKendry to see at least a couple of starts per week, especially as the season goes on. Still, Barajas has posted double-digit home runs seven times in the last eight seasons, and has the power to reach the 20-homer plateau. He can help out owners in Rotisserie formats with his power but target Barajas as more of an NL-only option on Draft Day. (Updated 1/12/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
