The Pittsburgh Pirates added an insurance policy against the struggles for Pedro Alvarez for the 2012 season as they sent reliever Jose Veras to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for third baseman Casey McGehee.McGehee was made expendable by the free agent signing of Aramis Ramirez by Milwaukee.
McGehee also can fill in at first base and second base on occasion and adds some alternatives to Alvarez,who hit under .200 last season.
McGehee had very strong seasons in 2009 and 2010 for the Brewers before tailing off considerably last season.
McGehee hit 23 homers and finished with over 100 RBI in 2010,although my suspicion is that was his career season.
The question is the true McGhee the .280,16 HR guy in just over 300 at bats in 2009 or the 2011 version that hit .223 and 13 HR's last season in over 600 at bats?
Jose Veras was decent enough last season,but he struggled in the second half and with him being arbitration eligible was probably going to get more money than his true worth.
I have always believed the toughest position to count on from year to year is relief pitching as so many bullpen pitchers yo-yo up and down from year to year that I am hesitant to pay many of them on past performance as their future stats are far less of a guarantee than at any other position.
I am doubtful that Veras will be missed much as guys like him as reasonably easy to find as teams build their bullpen for next season.
Casey McGehee might not be the answer that Pirates fans are looking for,but I think he will help and will do at a excellent value compared to his cost.
I usually like deals that bring a player with decent power potential/stats for relief arms,so I like this one.
Pittsburgh did not add Prince Fielder or anything,but at worst added a legit power bat coming off the bench in late inning situations.
I'm more than fine with that all things considered....
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