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Carlos Lee News & Rumors

More teams interested in Carlos Lee than Wandy? Seriously?
January 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"Who'd have thought the day would come where there was more interest in Carlos Lee than Wandy Rodriguez? If you believe any of the rumors running around these days, some teams may be interested in taking on Lee for the last of his six-year contract. Seriously? To be sure, it's likely the Astros might have to eat some of the $18.5 million if Lee were to be traded, but for a team in cost-cutting, money-saving mode, any "relief" would be a plus. But no interest in Wandy? Really?"
Lee gets first night off since All-Star break
August 9
Houston Chronicle
 
"For the first time in 22 days since the All-Star break, there was no Carlos Lee in the lineup, leaving the Astros without the only consistent piece in the middle. "It's been since July 10 and he pinch-hit that day; I just thought this was a good day to do it," manager Brad Mills said, adding that it wasn't a sign of things to come. "As a staff we talked about maybe giving Carlos a rest at home but I thought it would be best today on the road more than it would be at home." Lee leads the Astros in home runs and RBIs and is 1-for-6 in his career against Diamondbacks starter Daniel Hudson. With Lee out of the lineup, Matt Downs played first base; J.D. Martinez made his first start in the"
Veteran Lee far from enjoying Astros' rocky ride
August 5
Houston Chronicle
 
"Carlos Lee arrived when the Astros operated under the illusion they were a player here, a player there away from running a respectable race for the pennant. The Astros aren't 1994 Jeff Bagwell and 1997 Craig Biggio away from keeping up with the contenders, and Lee is still cashing paychecks from owner Drayton McLane. Biggio, Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt left, and Lee is still wearing an Astros uniform. Hunter Pence and Michael Bourn left, and Lee is still entrenched as the cleanup hitter. McLane is set to turn over the team to Jim Crane later this month, and Lee is still around to remind fans of the decay of an organization that went to the World Series in 2005. Lee, 35, is on pace to bat"
Lee breaks club record for grand slams in another loss
July 26
Houston Chronicle
 
"It took a long time, by fly-ball standards, for Carlos Lee's record-breaking grand slam to reach the left-field seats. But even by the standards of a last-place team, the time during which things went well Monday night was short. Except for Lee's seventh grand slam with the Astros, which broke the club record he previously had shared with Jeff Bagwell and Bob Aspromonte, the Astros were completely outclassed in a 10-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. At 33-69, the Astros are 36 games under .500 for the first time since 1963, when they were known as the Colt .45s. "We're a team that right now, a lot has to click for us to win ballgames," losing pitcher J.A. Happ said. And"
Interleague means Carlos Lee at DH, more starts available
May 19
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros will play just six interleague road games this year, a departure from the more common nine, but you can bet that Carlos Lee will be at the forefront of their designated hitter plans. Brad Mills said on the eve of the interleague opener at Toronto that the big left fielder would see time at designated hitter during the three-game set. They will also play three games at designated rival Texas but lose their third road interleague set when they play at the Dodgers an extra time because of the two extra National League teams. "Any time that you get to interleague play and get the opportunities to get the guys some more at-bats is big," Mills said. "Get some guys some playing time"
When is Carlos Lee bobblehead night?
May 15
Houston Chronicle
 
"Carlos Lee came full-circle in collecting his 2,000th career hit Saturday. The milestone hit was a first-inning single off R.A. Dickey in the midst of a four-run rally in a 7-3 victory against the New York Mets. Career hit No. 1 for Lee came against knuckleballer Tom Candiotti on May 7, 1999. Lee is the 16th active player — and the 230th of all time — to break the 2,000 barrier. For good measure, Lee tacked on his 335th career home run in the eighth inning — a leadoff shot off Ryota Igarashi. Seven other active players have at least 2,000 hits and 300 home runs : Ivan Rodriguez (2,830 311 entering Saturday), Alex Rodriguez (2,702/619), Chipper Jones (2,528/440), Vladimir Guerrero"
Carlos Lee notches 2,000th hit
May 15
Houston Chronicle
 
"Carlos Lee became the 16th active player with at least 2,000 hits when he singled in the first inning Saturday against Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey. Lee received a standing ovation as the Astros displayed a graphic on the scoreboard and tipped his cap to the sunbathing crowd on a spectacular afternoon at Minute Maid Park."
Astros left fielder Carlos Lee takes BP for first time since injury
May 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"Bill Hall had harsh words for home plate umpire Tom Hallion and about the state of umpire accountability after Hallion ejected him Thursday following Hall's seventh-inning strikeout. Hall took the first two strikes and stepped out of the box, not re-entering for 22 seconds amid some conversation. Three pitches later, he swung through strike three, shouted something as he was walking back to the dugout and was tossed by Hallion, who gesticulated emphatically at Hall in the process. "He missed the first two. Weren't strikes," Hall said. "I didn't really say anything to him, and once I got out of the box, he was yelling at me, cussing me out, telling me to get the (expletive) in the box.""
Lee's big game cut short following collision
May 2
Houston Chronicle
 
"Astros manager Brad Mills proved to be prophetic. In returning slumping left fielder Carlos Lee to the cleanup spot Sunday, Mills explained, "I know he's struggling a little bit and so forth, but with a lefthanded pitcher in this ballpark, it's nice to have his bat in there." Lee scored the Astros' first run and drove home the next three with a sixth-inning homer off lefty Chris Narveson in a 5-0 victory. Lee finished 2-for-3, lifting has average from .194 to .207, before running into a problem Mills couldn't possibly foresee. After a seventh-inning collision with shortstop Angel Sanchez, Lee got carted off the field with injured left ribs and spent Sunday night at Methodist Hospital."
Carlos Lee has left rib contusion; status day to day
May 2
Houston Chronicle
 
"Astros left fielder Carlos Lee sustained a rib contusion from a collision with shortstop Angel Sanchez during Sunday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. Lee spent the night in hospital after having been carted off the field during a 5-0 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers. Chest X-rays and a CT scan revealed no fractures or serious complications, leaving Lee's playing status day-to-day."
Lee's start not a threat to Wallace
March 17
Houston Chronicle
 
"As Fox Sports Houston begins its next-to-last year as the Astros' TV partner, it will reduce its cable broadcast schedule to 130 games, with 24 games, most of them afternoon starts, on KTXH (Ch. 20). FSH aired 152 games last year, with seven on Channel 20. This year, 15 of the 24 games on Channel 20 are day starts. Three Sunday night games and two Saturday games are not on the schedule because they are within the ESPN and Fox exclusivity windows. Three other games — Sept. 6 at Pittsburgh, Sept. 11 at Washington and Sept. 18 at the Cubs — are not scheduled to air. For the first time, all games on FSH and Channel 20 will air in HDTV. Bill Brown will return for his 25th season with the"
Carlos Lee douses injury concerns; Brett Myers frustrated
March 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"A few quick updates from the day game as I hit the road for Viera, Fla. and the night half of the split-squad day against the Nationals: • Carlos Lee did indeed make a late change from left field to designated hitter because of shoulder soreness, but he downplayed any prolonged health issues. "It's just a little fatigue; it's not like I'm hurt," Lee said after he came out of the game following three plate apperances. "We've just done a lot of throwing, so I was a little sore today." Lee asked manager Brad Mills for a break from fielding, and it came at a fortuitous time as the wind really whipped at Osceola County Stadium and toyed with the fly balls, which were numerous. Lee went 1-for-3"
Addressing a power outage
February 21
Houston Chronicle
 
"The Astros went out this offseason and got a new shortstop and a new second baseman. They got a new pitcher to compete for the No. 5 spot in the rotation. They got a new hitting coach. They got a new video board and a new luxury seating section. And by year's end, they might have a new owner. Compelling stories all, but if the Astros go from 76-86 to contention, it's likely the biggest reason will be none of the above. The fix is going to have to come from within. It must be the big guy. Carlos Lee reported to spring training Sunday eager to put behind him a miserable 2010 season that saw his numbers reach career lows and his value drop below the statistical replacement level - that of a"
Lee gets third straight start at first base
September 22
Houston Chronicle
 
"Brett Wallace was out of the starting lineup for the third straight game, marking the first time that has happened in his short career, as the Astros gave Carlos Lee a third straight start at first base. General manager Ed Wade has been encouraged by Lee's play at first base. The usual left fielder, who is under contract through the end of the 2012 season, could be in the Astros' plans there if the team wants to take the free-agent route for an outfielder before the 2011 season. "We now know that Carlos can play there and play well, and certainly with Brett Wallace and (Brian) Bogusevic playing first base, we've got depth and quality to sort through." Lee has said repeatedly that he is"
Rangers' newcomers pay off big in win in Seattle
September 19
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
 
"The blockbuster trade this year in baseball was made July 9, when the Texas Rangers acquired Cliff Lee from Seattle to enhance the chances at their first playoff berth since 1999.That was the second of five trades by general manager Jon Daniels in two months. The last was made Aug. 31 with only a few hours to spare to get Jeff Francoeur on the Rangers' postseason roster.Lee's role in the postseason is to dominate his opponent and give the Rangers a chance to win any series. Francoeur's task: Make them better against left-handed pitching.The Mariners are hardly a playoff team, but consider the performances of Lee, Francoeur and two other players acquired in trades part of the blueprint for"
Lee making Wade proud
August 30
Houston Chronicle
 
"After Carlos Lee finished April hitting .183 with no home runs and five RBIs in 21 games, general manager Ed Wade wanted it known that he still expected his big left fielder to drive in 100 runs, as he's done each of the last five seasons, including three in Houston. Wade might not end up correct, but Lee has made the prediction look a whole lot better lately. Despite going without an RBI on Sunday in his 1-for-4 outing, he has still been on a tear in the category, driving in 28 runs in his last 29 games. "I'm feeling a lot better, seeing the ball better and getting the bat through the zone better," Lee said. "I never thought it would be this long, but that's baseball." At the true halfway"
Lee starts at first for first time in 11 years
August 15
Houston Chronicle
 
"Astros slugger Carlos Lee made his first start at first base in nearly 11 years in Saturday's win over the Pirates. "We've been working on it," said Lee, who has been taking ground balls and making throws for about a month. "The only way to find out is to go out there and do it." While it was not the first time he covered first base this season — he played four innings in an Aug. 8 loss at Milwaukee — Lee's start was his first since Oct. 3, 1999, when he was with the Chicago White Sox. Astros manager Brad Mills said rookie Brett Wallace will continue to get the bulk of the playing time at first base, but he said giving Lee a trial run there will help him see what options he has available"
Lee's HR swing has a 'win' in it
August 14
Houston Chronicle
 
"Astros slugger Carlos Lee stepped up to the plate for the fourth time Friday night at Minute Maid Park with only a walk to show for his previous efforts. Brett Myers' latest pitching performance — and the fact the team was awfully close to wasting it — resonated with Lee. So Lee did something about it, hitting a three-run homer in the eighth inning to jump-start the Astros to a come-from-behind 4-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. "It was a big hit, especially after Myers had thrown a really good game as he has been doing all year long for us," Lee said. "I took advantage of the opportunity. That doesn't happen very often (this season), so you have to enjoy it when it happens." Geoff"
Lee lowers boom twice on Cubs
July 29
Houston Chronicle
 
"Carlos Lee might be in the midst of a bad — make that ghastly — year by his standards, but he has managed to remain atop the Astros' leader board in run production. Whether that serves as consolation for Lee or an indictment on how the rest of the team has fared at the plate is up for debate. What was certain Wednesday afternoon was Lee's ability to impact the Astros' chances of running away with a game that otherwise might have been tough to claim. Lee homered twice and drove in four runs in a span of two innings, and the Astros claimed their fourth consecutive series against the Chicago Cubs with an 8-1 come-from-behind victory before 28,046 at Minute Maid Park. "It's been so hard for me"
Astros need to deal Lee at any cost
July 19
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Richard Justice
"Now a word about Carlos Lee. When he didn't show up for Thursday's workout, it spoke volumes about how much he cares about the Astros. His alibi was that he couldn't find a pilot for his jet. Don't you hate when that happens? Listen, Lee is what he is. He was the same player with the same attitude in Chicago, Milwaukee and Texas. He wore out his welcome with the White Sox in part because Ozzie Guillen thought he sometimes had a casual approach. Lee is a very nice man, a gentleman, and he never promised to be Charlie Hustle. The Astros were the ones who decided he was worth $100 million. That kind of money ought to get you five tools. Lee has just two. He can hit and hit with power. Until"
Wade disappointed by Lee's absence
July 16
Houston Chronicle
 
"Carlos Lee did not make the Astros' voluntary workout at PNC Park Thursday night because of issues with his flight out of his native Panama, prompting general manager Ed Wade to say he was disappointed with the outfielder's absence. The workout — ahead of today's series opener with the Pirates — was scheduled by the team about 2½ months ago. "The workout was not mandatory — clubs are not allowed to make post-All-Star break workouts mandatory, but I'm still disappointed that he wasn't there," Wade said. "It would have been respectful if he would have been there." Lee contacted manager Brad Mills twice about his flight issues. Asked about Lee's absence, Mills said that after four days off,"
Lee's slam makes it a grand night
June 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"Given his starting pitcher's ridiculously good numbers of late, Astros manager Brad Mills found it impossible to ask Felipe Paulino for a repeat performance prior to Wednesday night's game against the Colorado Rockies. Something "close to it" would do, Mills said. Paulino — who entered the contest with a 0.56 ERA in his previous two starts and 1.61 over his last four — proceeded to give another stellar showing, and Carlos Lee hit a two-out grand slam in the 10th inning to lift the Astros to a 6-2 victory before 27,114 at Coors Field. It was the Astros' eighth victory in 11 games, and they are 4-1 in extra innings. It also was the second game in a row in which Lee delivered the game-winning"
Lee ejected after arguing in sixth
May 16
Houston Chronicle
 
"In explaining his ejection in the sixth inning of Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Giants, Astros outfielder Carlos Lee said he was bothered at the strike call by home plate umpire Bill Welke, but what got him upset was Welke's actions right after. "The thing that got me over the edge was that he started going to me like (motioning his hand in a dismissive manner) 'Get out of here,'?" Lee said. "I was walking away and he made like (repeating the motion) 'Get out of here.' I'm like … I said something I shouldn't have said, probably." Lee was convinced Welke's call for the strikeout was incorrect. "I'm seeing the pitch and the ball good, and we get calls like that," said Lee, who said he watched"
Phillies get their ace in Roy Halladay, while Mariners wait on a Cliff Lee lift
May 9
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 columnist Paul Hoynes
"Former Cy Young winners Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee, the key parts in the biggest and most complex trade of the off-season, have surfaced in different shades of sunlight. Halladay has had an immediate affect on Philadelphia. A strained abdominal muscle suffered in spring training caused Seattle to wait on Lee, but he's back now. The Phillies, who acquired Lee from the Indians last season when they couldn't get Halladay from Toronto, finally landed the former Toronto star. He was the pitcher they wanted all along and they have not been disappointed. He's 6-1 with a 1.45 ERA. He's struck out 49, walked seven and allowed 46 hits in 56 innings for the NL East-leading Phillies. Lee, 4-0 for"
Carlos Lee pondering retirement after the 2012 season
May 7
Houston Chronicle
 
"Astros left fielder Carlos Lee said he may retire when his contract expires after the 2012 season as he aims to devote more time to his family. "I don't know if I'm going to play after this contract," said Lee. "I'm ready to go home." Lee, who is in his 12th season in the majors, said he probably will consider retiring after the final year of a six-year, $100 million deal, which he signed in late 2006. "Maybe on my last year if I still have a love for the game and I still feel like I can play, I will probably come back," Lee said. "As of right now, me and my family have plans to finish up here in Houston.""
Lee, Manzella go deep in Astros' win over Diamondbacks
May 6
Houston Chronicle
 
"The gentlemanly debate began earlier in the week, with one school of thought in the clubhouse emphasizing the need for power-hitting as a key way to help the team out of another seemingly endless funk, and the other suggesting perhaps too much was being made of the lack of it. Wednesday night, power-hitting was the way for the Astros to snap their second eight-game losing streak of the season in dramatic fashion. Carlos Lee hit a walk-off two-run blast — his first homer of the season — in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the team that entered the game tied for fewest dingers in the majors with nine picked up two big ones en route to a 4-2 victory over the Diamondbacks before 21,030 at"
Bad start frustrates Lee
April 17
Houston Chronicle
 
"Astros slugger Carlos Lee is off to a bad start. He knows it and said he is working to correct it. "I can't buy a hit," Lee said after Friday's 1-for-4 performance in a 7-2 loss to the Cubs. Actually, the outfielder has four hits in 39 at-bats, but you get the point. Lee is batting .103 and has yet to record an RBI despite multiple opportunities. His struggles add to the heavy pressure that comes with being one of the players expected to step up in Lance Berkman's absence. As the team's highest-paid player — $18.5 million a year — Lee also must deal with high expectations. The fact that he has been unable to deliver at the plate in the 1-9 start by the Astros has made for a frustrating"
Lee's performance not enough
March 23
Houston Chronicle
 
"Carlos Lee went 3-for-3 with two singles and a double to go with an RBI to raise his spring average to .379. Yet the left fielder's perfect day at the plate was not enough to dig the Astros out of a first-inning hole in a 6-4 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals at Osceola County Stadium. The Astros (10-8) did not allow a run for seven innings after Wandy Rodriguez was tagged for five in the first inning. But the team couldn't muster enough offense as its win streak ended at four."
Lee enters lineup for first time
March 7
Houston Chronicle
 
"The plan was to throw 35 pitches Saturday, but when Roy Oswalt found himself in a jam early on, he saw a chance to work his way out of it and still come back out for more. "I was thinking, bases loaded in your first inning of spring training, why not?" said Oswalt, who pitched two innings in the Astros' 3-0 win over the Braves at Osceola County Stadium. He finished throwing 44 pitches and allowed one hit and three walks while striking out two. As new Astros pitching coach Brad Arnsberg gets to know Roy Oswalt better, he is convinced the ace understands his role well."
Phils' faith in Hamels key to Lee trade
December 20
Courier-Post
 columnist Scott Lauber
"Next Page1| 2Previous PageA year ago, when acquiring Roy Halladay still was Ruben Amaro Jr.'s whimsy and Cliff Lee got traded only in fantasy leagues, the Phillies had another ace. Remember Cole Hamels? Last year, Hamels was everywhere. He tossed the coin at the 50-yard line before the Eagles-Giants game at the Linc, danced with Ellen DeGeneres, read the Top 10 List for David Letterman. Then, he signed a three-year, $20.5 million contract extension, moved to a 2,700-square-foot condo high atop Two Liberty Place and became the pitch man in a half-dozen commercials. Life was good. In 2009, Hamels got flattened by reality. Only 25, with just two above-average pitches and having slacked in his"
Lee-Jimenez rematch for Game 4
October 12
Philly.com
 
"What Phillies lefthander Cliff Lee called "the never-ending chess match" of hitter vs. pitcher goes to a different level Monday in the National League division series.Lee will pitch against Colorado righthander Ubaldo Jimenez for the second time in six days. Facing the same team in consecutive starts presents a strategic question for each pitcher.Should he plan on making significant changes, or follow the same approach?"They're going to watch the video of the last game and make adjustments," Lee said tonight. "They'd be a fool not to. That's the nature of this game. If you're not making adjustments, you're losing ground."This situation rarely arises during the regular season.Jimenez faced"
Need a big hit? Lee's your man
July 21
Houston Chronicle
 columnist Richard Justice
"Carlos Lee's legacy with the Astros couldn't be simpler. He gets hits. Big ones. Small ones. He mostly gets hits that score runs and win games, and as legacies go, he's fine with that one. "To be honest, I concentrate a lot more when there are runners on base," he said. "I give up less at-bats. Sometimes I get away from my game with nobody on and try to drive the ball or hit a double instead of just concentrating on getting a good pitch to hit." The Astros needed one big hit Monday night, and Lee delivered it in a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals in front of a noisy crowd of 36,437 at Minute Maid Park. His three-run home run provided the offense on a night when the pitching and"
Lee to play for Panama in WBC
February 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"Lee to play for Panama Barring problems with his left little finger, outfielder Carlos Lee hopes to represent Panama in the World Baseball Classic next month. “I’m planning on playing right now,” he said. “I still want to play a few games and work out. I haven’t faced live pitching in a game. So I want to play a few games and work out and see. Hooton hobbled Former Astros pitching coach Burt Hooton, the pitching coach at Class AAA Round Rock, is being hampered by a severely swollen right knee while helping in major league camp. Hooton, 59, had left knee replacement surgery by Dr. Adam Harris in San Antonio on Oct. 15. His right knee has been cranky for years, but now it has hobbled him."
Never at a loss for jokes
February 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"Carlos Lee’s left little finger is a bit gruesome, disfigured at the nail bed; it serves as a reminder of the blow that ended his 2008 season Aug. 9. It’s sore, too, stinging each time he made contact Thursday during his first batting practice since the Cincinnati Reds’ Bronson Arroyo nailed him with a pitch last summer. If the end of Lee’s 2008 season will be linked to Arroyo, the late start of his 2009 season will be linked to his friends and clubhouse nemeses Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt. Lee, Berkman and Oswalt, the men who must carry the Astros’ heaviest loads this season, were all smiles two days after Berkman chastised the outfielder and Oswalt ridiculed Lee’s excuse for being two"
Indians' Lee says A-Rod story has run its course
February 13
Cleveland Plain Dealer
 
"Alex Rodriguez's interview with Katie Couric on CBS' "60 Minutes" in 2007 sticks in Cy Young winner Cliff Lee's mind. "He was so bold about saying he didn't use steroids," said Lee on Thursday, when Indians pitchers and catchers reported to spring training. "So it did surprise me a little bit." By now the news that Rodriguez tested positive for steroids in 2003, and admitting it earlier this week, is still rumbling through baseball. Commissioner Bud Selig on Wednesday talked about suspending the man generally regarded as the best player in the game before standing down Thursday. Selig did tell the Associated Press, "Alex has shamed the game." Lee doesn't think Rodriguez should be"
Lee to play for Panama in World Baseball Classic
January 20
Houston Chronicle
 
"Astros slugger Carlos Lee, the all-time leader in home runs among major leaguers born in Panama, has decided to represent his country in the World Baseball Classic in March. Jose Valverde, Wandy Rodriguez and even shortstop Miguel Tejada are on the Dominican Republic’s provisional roster, which was released Monday. Astros ace Roy Oswalt will play for Team USA. Lee had been hesitant to commit to play for Panama as he waited to see how he recovered from the season-ending fractured left little finger he suffered Aug. 9. Lee’s left little finger has healed, and he already started swinging the bat at home in Panama. “We’re fine with the finger,” he said via cell phone from Panama. “I haven’t"
Astros LF Lee's finger still weeks away from normal
October 14
Houston Chronicle
 
"Astros outfielder Carlos Lee’s broken left little finger is not completely healed two months after he suffered six fractures when he was hit in the hand by a pitch from the Cincinnati Reds’ Bronson Arroyo. Lee, who spends most of the offseason in his native Panama, was in Houston on Monday to be examined by Astros physician Dr. Tom Mehlhoff. “The doctor says it’s going to be about six more weeks so that everything will be back to normal,” Lee said. “Right now I’m doing exercises to get stronger and to have the movement needed in the finger.” Lee, who led the National League with 100 RBIs and the Astros with 28 home runs when he was injured Aug. 9, expects to be 100 percent for spring"
All’s well for Lee following surgery
August 12
Houston Chronicle
 
"For almost two hours, Carlos Lee was his jovial self Monday at Methodist Hospital. He joked with the registered nurse, handled the tedious registration process with humility and a smile, and generally tried to ease the tension for his wife, Mary. Then, Dr. Tom Mehlhoff, the Astros’ hand and wrist specialist, walked in to explain the damage on Lee’s left pinky finger. There were six fractures, twice as many as he was originally told, and a severe laceration to the nail bed. There also was a chance he would need as many as three pins to fix the fractures. “Wow,” Lee said as Mary held his left thumb tightly. “Maybe I should just listen to (Roy) Oswalt and have it cut off.” Mehlhoff prepared"
Astros OF Lee breaks left pinky, likely ending season
August 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"Any dreams the Astros had of making a run to the playoffs in the season’s final two months took a huge blow when slugger Carlos Lee was likely lost for the season with a broken left pinky finger Saturday night. Lee, who leads the National League with 100 RBIs, will undergo surgery Monday in Houston and is expected to be out for six to eight weeks. There are seven weeks remaining in the regular season. “We have to suck it up and tighten our belts and go after it,” Astros manager Cecil Cooper said. Lee was hit by a pitch thrown by Bronson Arroyo in the third inning of the Astros’ 3-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds. He left the game immediately to be taken for X-rays. “I knew right away it was"
Lee’s injury leaves huge void
August 10
Houston Chronicle
 
"The National League Most Valuable Player ballot arrived in the in box last week, and it appears as though Chase Utley is the favorite on this ballot. But it leads to the question who’s the Astros’ Most Valuable Player? At the start of June, Lance Berkman appeared like one of the favorites to win this year’s NL MVP trophy. Since then, Carlos Lee has been the Astros’ top hitter. But Lee, who leads the NL with 100 RBIs, broke his finger after being hit by a pitch during Saturday night’s game against the Reds. The left fielder is expected to miss a significant amount of time. Before the injury, Lee was on track to be the Astros’ Most Valuable Player for the second consecutive year. “He just"
Berkman campaigns for Lee's All-Star spot
July 7
Houston Chronicle
 
"Astros first baseman Lance Berkman barely had finished discussing how pleased he was to be voted as the starting first baseman for the National League for the All-Star Game when he began campaigning for teammate Carlos Lee. "Take nothing away from the two Cubs outfielders, but Carlos deserves to start ahead of either one of those two guys," Berkman said. "I'd like to see him in the game." Berkman and Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada, who was chosen by the players as a reserve, will represent the Astros at the July 15 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, but they could be accompanied by Lee."
Berkman issues challenge to Lee
July 3
Houston Chronicle
 
"A day after saying he will compete in this year's Home Run Derby on July 14 at Yankee Stadium, Lance Berkman good-naturedly challenged teammate Carlos Lee to do the same. Berkman acknowledged that Lee was approached by Major League Baseball to see if he would consider participating in the Derby if he made the National League All-Star team. Berkman is the leading vote-getter at first base, and Lee is among the league leaders in RBIs. "He said no initially, and I pretty much called him out," Berkman said. "I was like, 'Let's go. I'll challenge you to do it.' He would be great in the Derby and probably would win it.""
Rays upset with Lee's slide into Iwamura
June 22
St. Petersburg Times
 
"Akinori Iwamura isn't sure if Carlos Lee is the largest man he has ever had bearing down on him at second base, but the Astros DH is the first to attempt to tackle him. Lee's apparent tug at Iwamura's legs after being forced out during a potential inning-ending double play in the eighth inning ? preventing a throw and allowing the go-ahead run to score from third ? drew manager Joe Maddon from the dugout but no sanction from umpire Bob Davidson. It also puzzled the second baseman, who admired the hustle but not the method. "I've gotten spiked before. I've never gotten 'handed' in my baseball career," Iwamura said through an interpreter. "It felt like American football-style"
Should the Astros have a fire sale?
June 16
Houston Chronicle
 
"Maybe it's time for the Astros to shop closer Jose Valverde to a team in contention. Perhaps they should get Carlos Lee, Roy Oswalt and — dare I say it? — even Lance Berkman to approve a trade elsewhere. I would keep Berkman, but I'd listen to trade offers for Lee, Oswalt and Valverde, as long as Lee and Oswalt bypass their no-trade clauses. If I had to trade one of them, it would be Lee. His two years into a six-year, $100 million deal, and that has the makings of a terrible contract in the near future. He's still an RBI machine, so shop him. That's if you can get him to agree to a trade. The bottom line is this club is in need of a serious overhaul, and there's not enough that can be"