Peter Diana, Post-Gazette Tike Redman became expendable with the emergence of Chris Duffy as a leadoff hitter and center fielder. Click photo for larger image.

The Pirates continued to wheel and deal yesterday, but -- again -- the trade isn't anything to get excited about.

The Pirates sent center fielder Tike Redman to the New York Mets for cash considerations.

It was their second trade in a week. On Nov. 21, the Pirates dealt infielder Bobby Hill to the San Diego Padres for a minor-leaguer to be named, perhaps at next week's winter meetings.

Both trades were get-something-rather-than-nothing transactions. On Nov. 18, the Pirates designated Hill and Redman for assignment, meaning they had 10 days to trade them or release them.

When the Pirates set their 40-man winter roster Nov. 18, they also designated outfielder Michael Restovich and minor-league right-handed reliever Jeff Miller for assignment.

Yesterday, they unconditionally released Restovich and announced Miller had been claimed on waivers by the San Francisco Giants.

Redman, 28, joins his brother, Prentice, in the Mets' organization. Prentice Redman played for Class AA Binghamton and Class AAA Norfolk in 2005.

It's difficult to see how Tike Redman figures in the Mets' plans.

The Mets recently traded outfielder Mike Cameron to San Diego for outfielder/first baseman Xavier Nady. Carlos Beltran will play center field for the Mets, who have Cliff Floyd in left field and probably Nady in right field.

And the Mets have top prospect Lastings Milledge ready to play for Norfolk next season, meaning he isn't far from playing in Shea Stadium.

Redman, the Pirates' fifth-round pick in the 1996 draft, revived his career with the team in 2003 by hitting .330 in the final half of that season.

He was the starting center fielder in 2004 and batted .280, but the Pirates tired of his defensive shortcomings in 2005, during which he hit just .251. Redman also didn't display the base-stealing ability he demonstrated in the minor leagues and never could master the art of batting leadoff.

Redman stole only 33 bases in 48 attempts in 392 major-league games.

Redman lost his center field job to rookie Chris Duffy in mid-July. Duffy batted .341 in 39 games and will go to spring training as the Pirates' center fielder and leadoff hitter.