"As a one-time Chicago Cubs prospect, Casey McGehee found his path to the major leagues blocked by Aramis Ramirez.

On Monday, McGehee's future was once again determined by the veteran slugger.

Hours after agreeing with Ramirez on a three-year, $36 million contract to play third base for them moving forward, the Milwaukee Brewers traded McGehee to the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-handed reliever Jose Veras.

The trade ends a three-year run with the Brewers that saw McGehee rise from waiver-wire pickup at the end of 2008, to rookie of the year candidacy in 2009, to team most valuable player honors in 2010 before a miserable 2011 paved the way for Monday's trade."