The Pirates announced Monday night that they've acquired infielder Casey McGehee from the Brewers in exchange for relief pitcher Jose Veras. Both players were arbitration eligible heading into Monday night's deadline, and this trade almost assures both will be tendered contracts by their new squads.
Many expected Veras to be non-tendered by the Bucs as he was likely due for a big pay raise in arbitration. McGehee, a third baseman by trade, was expendable for the Brewers following their signing of fellow third baseman Aramis Ramirez earlier on Monday, so this swap with Pittsburgh, a team seeking insurance at third base behind Pedro Alvarez and perhaps on option at first base, makes a good amount of sense for both teams.
McGehee posted big numbers in 2010, racking up 104 RBIs while hitting 23 home runs with an .801 OPS but fell off to a .626 OPS with 13 homers and 67 RBIs in 2011. The Pirates, obviously, are hopeful he'll be closer to the player he was two years ago and offer much-needed depth at the corners, all at what would have been considered a bargain price just a year ago.
Veras was a work horse for the Pirates last year, racking up 79 strikeouts and a 3.80 ERA in 71 innings pitched. Milwaukee will look to him to help solidify its bullpen.