CHICAGO -- Going from the Pirates to the Yankees didn't use to be this hard.

Casey McGehee was a conflicted corner infielder as he departed on Tuesday to join the team with the American League's best record. That had a lot to do with the Pirates being only a couple games behind the Bombers' pace, and also in contention.

Winning 58 games in Pittsburgh just had to be more fun.

"Even though I wasn't here long," said McGehee, "I loved every minute of it. It was fun being a part of seeing the city get behind the team and come back to the ballpark. I had a blast while I was here. I wish everyone nothing but the best."

McGehee was acquired in an offseason deal from the Milwaukee Brewers. He now moves on in a trade which brings right-handed reliever Chad Qualls to Pittsburgh.

With both third baseman Alex Rodriguez and first baseman Mark Teixeira out with injuries, McGehee could temporarily be a prime-time player for the Yankees.

"I get a chance to go play for arguably the greatest franchise in the history of sports, so there's something to be said for that," McGehee said. "But it's weird; since Spring Training, it's been Pirates and Zoltan -- then one phone call and you've got to change your mindset to bleeding pinstripes."

Worth noting

• If Gaby Sanchez arrives in time and "feels good," as manager Clint Hurdle put it, he'll likely make his Pirates debut as the first-base starter in Wednesday afternoon's game against Cubs lefty Travis Wood. Sanchez will wear No. 14.

• Daniel McCutchen was available out of the bullpen Tuesday, as the replacement for Brad Lincoln and the stand-in for Chad Qualls. When Qualls reports, McCutchen is expected to return to Indianapolis.

• Andrew McCutchen, named the National League Player of the Month in June after hitting .370, entered the final game of this month hitting .437 (38-for-87) in July.

Last word

"We're good to go. The 21st century is nuts. We've caught up and are ready for him."
-- Manager Clint Hurdle, on how the Pirates were able to quickly shift their attention from probable-but-traded Cubs starter Ryan Dempster to replacement Casey Coleman, thanks to modern technology.