"The Pirates got a much-needed right-handed slugger by trading late Saturday night for Baltimore Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee.

In exchange for Class A first baseman Aaron Baker, the Pirates got a 15-year veteran who has hit 324 home runs. Lee, 35, is a three-time Gold Glove winner and two-time National League All-Star.

The Pirates will pick up the $2.6 million Lee is still owed from his $7.25 million contract. The Orioles will cover his performance bonuses. Lee can make up to $2.75 million in incentives, based on plate appearances.

Lee batted .246 with 15 doubles, 12 homers and 41 RBI in 85 games with the Orioles. In 15 games since the All-Star break, he's hit .298 with three homers and 13 RBI.

"He's got a very strong pedigree," manager Clint Hurdle said Sunday. "We believe he's got good, productive baseball left in him. There's value to his presence in the clubhouse, in the dugout and, obviously, on the field."

Although the Orioles played Saturday in New York, a two-hour drive from Philadelphia, Lee was not in uniform for the Pirates' series finale against the Phillies. Instead, Lee went back to Baltimore to attend to family matters.

General manager Neal Huntington said Lee will join the Pirates "either on Monday or Tuesday, probably Monday." Under baseball's labor agreement, Lee has 72 hours to report."