Cleveland further committed to paying a large chunk of the $1.68 million US remaining on his $2.15-million US deal.

In exchange, the Pirates extended Michaels' contract for 2 years at $10m per year and gave him a standing offer to join the front office.

As long as the Pirates didn't give up anything particularly interesting for him, I guess this is OK. The bench has been terrible so far, and while a power hitter like Botts would've been a better fit, Michaels has done enough good things in the past that I can understand taking a flyer on him.

Michaels has done enough good things in the past that I can understand taking a flyer on him.

I think a big part of it is his supposed flexibility. Morgan would be really stretched to sub in at a corner, Michaels is less so. One thing I like about this move, I guess, is that they didn't call up Pearce. Pearce really needs to play every day and that's obviously not going to happen now with Nady still hitting...

Between playing McLouth (and sticking with him), playing Doumit (and sticking with him), the Morris release, this trade, etc., the organization has me feeling this strange, slightly light-headed feeling. Maybe it's just gas or food poisoning, but it might just be hope. The draft is the real test for these guys. If they take a real prospect, I might cry.