(Pittsburgh-AP) -- The Chicago Cubs have addressed two important needs Tuesday by acquiring outfielder Kenny Lofton and third baseman Aramis Ramirez from the Pittsburgh Pirates for shortstop Jose Hernandez and two minor leaguers. Lofton will serve as the center fielder the Cubs have sought since Corey Patterson went down with a season-ending knee injury. Lofton is hitting .277 with nine homers, 26 R-B-I's and 18 steals this year.

The Cubs also fill a hole at third with Ramirez, who had career highs of 34 homers and 112 R-B-I's for the Bucs two years ago. This year he's hitting .280 with 12 homers and a team-high 67 R-B-I's. Hernandez was hitting just .188 with two homers and nine runs batted in for the Cubs this year.

Earlier in the day, the Bucs sent Scott Sauerbeck and Mike Gonzalez to Boston for Brandon Lyon and minor leaguer Anastacio Martinez.