Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel: Cubs castoff McGehee helping to carry team

With Aramis Ramirez entrenched as their starting third baseman, the Chicago Cubs figured they didn’t need Casey McGehee anymore, despite a banner 2008 season with Class AAA Iowa.

Funny, how things work out at times. Let’s just say the Cubs’ sputtering offense might look more formidable these days with McGehee on the club.

“I really haven’t thought much about it,” said McGehee, who has emerged as an offensive force for the Milwaukee Brewers after beginning the season buried on their bench. “It’s kind of a tough situation (for Chicago).”

The Cubs, of course, had no way of knowing that Ramirez would be lost for many weeks with a dislocated shoulder. Oddly enough, he suffered that injury while trying to make a diving stab of a grounder during a Chicago-Milwaukee series in early May at Miller Park.

Looking to create roster flexibility after the 2008 season, the Cubs placed McGehee on waivers after he batted .296 with 30 doubles, 12 home runs and 92 runs batted in over 133 games for Iowa.

The Brewers claimed McGehee and added him to their 40-man roster. The idea was to add depth to the infield, which turned out to be a prescient move.

At the time, the Brewers could not know that second baseman Rickie Weeks would be lost for the season in mid-May with a wrist injury. Or that third baseman Bill Hall’s offensive freefall would carry over to another season.