PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired infielder Casey McGehee from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for right-handed pitcher Jose Veras. The Pirates said during the winter meetings they were looking at a contingency plan at third base incase Pedro Alvarez struggled in 2012. McGehee made 147 appearances at third base in 2011 with Milwaukee and has also played first base in the Majors.
McGehee, 29, batted .223 with 13 home runs, 24 doubles and knocked in 67 runs. He homered three times vs. St. Louis on August 3, becoming the 11th player in franchise history to hit three home runs in one game.
McGehee is coming off a down year in 2011. With the Brewers in 2010, McGehee was named Milwaukee’s Most Valuable Player after he batted .285 with 23 home runs, 104 RBI and a .337 OBP in 157 games. His 102 RBI as a third baseman in 2010 set a franchise record for that position. He led N.L. third basemen in hits (172) and doubles (38) during the 2010 campaign in addition to leading all Major League players with 28 RBI during the month of August.
“Casey McGehee adds a quality option for us at both corner infield positions and adds depth to our position player group,” said Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington.
McGehee was originally selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 10th round of the 2003 Draft, and was claimed off waivers by Milwaukee in October of 2008.
In his first full season in the Majors with Milwaukee in 2009, McGehee hit .301 with 20 doubles, 16 homers, 66 RBI and a .360 OBP in 116 games. He led all Major League rookies in RBI and ranked second in batting while finishing fifth in the voting for N.L. Rookie-of-the-Year.
McGehee is first-time eligible this off season. The Pirates have until midnight to tender him a contract.
Veras, 31, was arbitration eligible this offseason and was not expected to be tendered a contract. Veras posted a 3.80 ERA with Pittsburgh in 2011. He established career-highs in appearances (79), innings pitched (71.0) and strikeouts (79). Veras was tied for second among NL relievers in appearances, trailing only Jonny Venters of the Atlanta Braves.
Photo credit: Yahoo! Sports
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