Bye Bye Barmie

Clint Barmes is no longer a Colorado Rockie. The Rocks sent him to the Astros for righthander Felipe Paulino.
Obviously the Rockies are looking for an arm since Jorge De La Rosa will probably sign elsewhere. Plus, Paulino is cheaper than Barmes and just about all of the Rockies moves involve trimming payroll. Paulino made $415,000 last year while Barmes pocketed $3,325,000 last season.
I don't understand this move. Sure you can never get enough pitching, but Paulino? The Rockies couldn't get anyone better than this guy? Barmes, a plus glove, a streaky hitter with some pop in his bat, couldn't bring back someone other than Paulino, a guy with a career record of 6-21 with a 5.83 ERA?
Again, it comes down to money. The Rockies simply don't want to spend money. When you have the pitching-rich Giants in your division, you need to keep a guy like De La Rosa, and maybe they still will, although I seriously doubt it.
Barmes will get a shot to start at shortstop in Houston, his favorite position. But he's a solid citizen and quality teammate so if the Astros told him to play outfield or catch, Barmes would do it in a heartbeat.
When I think of Barmes, I think immediately of Opening Day 2005 when he belted a 2-run, walk-off homer, against Trevor Hoffman to give Colorado a dramatic 12-10 win.
Barmes is a good player who will be missed by the Rockies and who will help the Astros.
As for Paulino, he'll walk a lot of guys, he'll have a high ERA and will end up with a losing record in a Rockies uniform before getting released. Or maybe he'll make a decent pitcher in Colorado Springs (AAA).