The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded relief pitcher Jose Veras to the Milwaukee Brewers for third baseman Casey McGehee, per a team press release. Veras was profiled as a non-tender candidate in my article earlier today. McGehee, meanwhile, became expendable when Milwaukee signed Aramis Ramirez to a three year deal earlier this afternoon.
McGehee is coming off a year where he hit for a .223/.280/.346 line in 546 at-bats. In 2010 he had a much better year, with a .285/.337/.464 line in 610 at-bats. He’s primarily played third base in his major league career, but has also spent some time at second and first.
“Casey McGehee adds a quality option for us at both corner infield positions and adds depth to our position player group,” said Pirates GM Neal Huntington on the move.
McGehee makes for a strong backup to Pedro Alvarez, and could even be an option to start at first base if the Pirates can’t sign anyone. MLBTR projects McGehee to earn $3.1 M in arbitration. The move takes the 40-man payroll estimate up to $45.87 M.
