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Third baseman Casey McGehee, who lost his position with the Brewers when they agreed to terms earlier today on a three-year deal with veteran free-agent Aramis Ramirez, has been traded to Pittsburgh for reliever Jose Veras.

With the Brewers in pursuit of Ramirez for several days, some thought McGehee might be moved across the diamond to first base, especially with Prince Fielder on his way out as a free agent. But McGehee also was arbitration-eligible for the first time, guaranteeing a big boost in his $478,000 salary.

That salary probably no longer fit in the Brewers’ plans with the signing of Ramirez and the recent decision by reliever Francisco Rodriguez to accept salary arbitration.

McGehee led the Brewers with 104 runs batted in during the 2010 season and seemingly had a hold on third base. He fell off significantly last season, however, batting .223 with 13 home runs and 67 RBI, and also slipped in the field, committing 20 errors.

McGehee slumped so badly that he was replaced in the postseason by utility player Jerry Hairston Jr., who since has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers as a free agent.

Veras, 31, is a six-year major-leaguer who has pitched for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Florida Marlins and Pittsburgh Pirates. Last season in Pittsburgh, he was 2-4 with a 3.80 ERA in 79 appearances, with 54 hits and 34 walks in 71 innings, and 79 strikeouts.

Veras is arbitration-eligible but I haven't been able to find what his salary was in 2011.