"The Cubs are close to trading first baseman Derrek Lee to the Atlanta Braves, major-league sources said.

The deal that would send Lee to the Braves has not been finalized, but sources characterize the trade as nearly done. One holdup has been Lee's balky back, which has kept him sidelined the last two games.

The trade was first discussed Sunday evening when the Braves called Cubs general manager Jim Hendry and expressed interest after learning that one of their best offensive players, Chipper Jones, was lost for the season with a knee injury.

As a 10-5 man (10 years in the major leagues and the last five with the same team), Lee has the right to reject a trade, as he did when the Los Angeles Angeles tried to acquire him in late July. However, sources close to Lee said he will approve a deal to Atlanta because the Braves are leading their division, thus giving him a shot at winning another World Series ring."