The Pittsburgh Pirates have traded for Cleveland Indians outfielder Jason Michaels, who had just been designated for assignment.

The Indians will receive cash and a player to be named later in the deal.

General manager Neal Huntington said the Pirates made the deal because they had the chance to get an established major league player who is off to a slow start.

That might be one way of putting it, but I’m confused as to why a rebuilding team just spent money and a prospect to pick up a struggling veteran outfielder.