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Derrek Lee News & Rumors

Lee declines arbitration, Ohlendorf released
December 8
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates released Ross Ohlendorf late Wednesday night, around the same time they learned that Derrek Lee declined their offer of salary arbitration; Ohlendorf, 29, struggled with right shoulder injuries in each of the past two seasons that kept him inactive for several months. When he returned last season, he went 1-3 with an 8.15 ERA. Ohlendorf won an arbitration case last offseason and earned $2.025 million, and he was eligible for arbitration again this winter. Arbitration rules stipulate that Ohlendorf could not earn less than 80 percent of his previous salary, or about $1.62 million, making him too expensive. The Pirates acquired Ohlendorf in 2008 in a trade with the Yankees, along"
Plan B at 1B comes to light for Pirates
December 8
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Derrek Lee , the first baseman who was a rare spark on a spiraling Pirates team late last season, declined the team's arbitration invitation late Wednesday night. The news is no shock to the Pirates, who were operating under the assumption Lee would wait for Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder -- who are sure to pull in the largest contracts of any free-agent first basemen -- to sign before he agreed to terms on a deal."
Bucs' Lee's been hot at plate since DL stint
September 15
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"Pirates first baseman Derrek Lee was 3 for 4 with a double and RBI in the series finale against the Cardinals on Wednesday. He has gone 17 for 41 with 11 RBI in 11 games since coming off the disabled list. "I would have liked to have had him (in the lineup) for the entire time he's been here," manager Clint Hurdle said. "That being said, if you speak to him, I think he's enjoyed his time here as well. I don't know what the future's going to hold, but he told me that last year he didn't want to come to Pittsburgh but he's had an awful good time in Pittsburgh this year. Now, those are his words.""
On the Pirates: Derrek Lee ... Does He Fit In?
September 11
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Derrek Lee arrived in Pittsburgh with little fanfare and even more skepticism. Fans weren't sure the 35-year-old first baseman, who has since turned 36, could still produce. Or if he wanted to play in Pittsburgh at all. But his production ever since has many clamoring for his return next season. Entering this weekend's series against the Marlins, Lee had hit four home runs in 10 games as a Pirate. "He's made his presence felt," manager Clint Hurdle said. "He's gone out and he's made plays. He's absolutely added a dimension to our offense we don't have.""
Former Cub Lee gets revenge
September 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"The last time Derrek Lee faced old Cubs teammate Carlos Marmol was Aug. 3, when a wayward pitch fractured his left wrist. So Saturday was payback time — and Lee collected. He hit a ninth-inning grand slam off Marmol to lift the Pirates to a stunning 7-5 victory, a game delayed 1 hour, 31 minutes by rain with the Cubs leading in the seventh inning. Was Lee thinking about his at-bat in August when he came up Saturday? "Not really," he said. "(Marmol) was struggling with his command a little bit, so I was going to try to be as patient as possible. Got the count to 1-1 and just kind of got the pitch I was looking for.""
Derrek Lee's grand slam gives Pirates unlikely win over Cubs
September 4
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"Derrek Lee insists he was never angry at Chicago Cubs closer Carlos Marmol, who last month hit Lee in the hand with a pitch in a game and put the Pirates first baseman on the disabled list. But if Lee felt even an ounce of frustration about his broken hand, he took it out on a pitch Marmol threw in the ninth inning Saturday. Lee came off the DL about an hour before the game, then stroked a two-out grand slam to boost the Pirates to an improbable 7-5 victory at rain-soaked Wrigley Field. "You can't write that script," manager Clint Hurdle said. "The game plays out and gives you stories you probably never would have probably written up. Just dripping with irony.""
Bring back Derrek Lee next season
September 3
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"Manager Clint Hurdle already is lobbying to get Derrek Lee back in a Pirates uniform next season. However, neither Lee nor general manager Neal Huntington would indicate whether that's a possibility. "I'm not going to close any doors," Lee said Friday. "But it's something I haven't even thought about. I want to get to the offseason first before I start talking about that kind of stuff." Lee has been on the disabled list since Aug. 10 with a fractured left wrist, but he could be activated as soon as today. "I'm just trying to get back on the field," he said. "I'll worry about everything else later." With 326 career homers, Lee brings much-needed power to the lineup. A 15-year"
Lee fondly recalls his days with Cubs
September 2
Chicago Tribune
 
"Derrek Lee returns to Wrigley Field on Friday for the first time since he played with the Braves last August shortly after being dealt from the Cubs. Lee, on the disabled list with a wrist fracture after being hit by a Carlos Marmol pitch on Aug. 3, said the best time of his career was spent in a Cubs uniform, despite him winning a World Series with the Marlins. "Playing with Marlins was great, but with the Cubs, it's where I feel I came into my own," Lee said. "It wasn't perfect. I felt like we had some chances to win there. It didn't work out. But I loved my time in the city. Great fans, great teammates, so it was good.""
Lee continues rehab after fracturing wrist
August 30
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"Derrek Lee (fractured left wrist) swung the bat about 20 times using a tee and via soft toss Monday. He plans to swing again today and build from there. "It was nice to have a bat in my hands again," he said. "Hopefully, it's not too much longer before I can get back in the game." -- Reliever Evan Meek, who had his rehab transferred from Bradenton to Triple-A Indianapolis on Sunday, was scheduled to pitch yesterday, rest today and pitch again Wednesday. But he never got the chance to pitch because Nelson Figueroa threw a complete game. Manager Clint Hurdle said he and Meek will get together with Indianapolis manager Dean Treanor and pitching coach Tom Filer. "We'll brainstorm a little bit"
Pirates' Lee out with fractured wrist
August 14
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"A fractured left wrist is expected to sideline first baseman Derrek Lee until September. The Pirates on Saturday placed Lee on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 10, and recalled infielder Josh Harrison from Triple-A Indianapolis. "The doctor said three or four weeks is the healing process," Lee said. "But if I can withstand it before then, I can go play. I can't give you an exact time frame." Lee was injured Aug. 3 when Chicago Cubs closer Carlos Marmol hit him with a pitch. Lee played Monday and Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants but sat out the past two games when the pain flared up. "I was getting nervous because it still feels like it felt on day one," Lee said. "I"
Wrist injury shelves Derrek Lee
August 14
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"It took 10 days, two X-Rays, an MRI and a CT scan, but the Pirates finally got to the bottom of what was causing first baseman Derrek Lee so much pain in his left hand. The good news is the CT scan revealed a fractured bone in his left wrist, which means it can, at last, be treated. The bad news is Lee was placed on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 10, and might be out until the end of the month. Most likely he will miss the Pirates' important stretch of games against National League Central Division foes Milwaukee, St. Louis and Cincinnati. "The hard part is, it was so confusing to us along the way, with all the technology we had, we went through an X-Ray twice, an MRI and a"
Pirates' Lee off to rousing start at PNC Park
August 2
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"Major League Baseball's trade deadline is a strange and hectic time for most clubs and the newly displaced. Thus on Monday, a Baltimore Orioles equipment bag stood out in the Pirates' clubhouse at PNC Park next to a locker recently occupied by Lyle Overbay, the club's former first baseman. "It's been a bit of a whirlwind," said the Pirates' new first baseman and bag owner, Derrek Lee. He could have been describing the past year. After spending most of the 13 previous seasons with Florida and the Chicago Cubs, the Pirates are Lee's fourth team since 2010. "My head's spinning, I think," he kidded before the Pirates lost to the Cubs, 5-3. "I ought to check and see what colors I'm wearing.""
Lee's two home runs not enough for Pirates
August 2
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"The Pirates dropped their fourth in a row Monday night, but don't blame the new guy. First baseman Derrek Lee homered twice in his Pirates' debut, including a towering drive in the eighth inning to pull the club to within one run and prompt a standing ovation from the crowd of 22,248. "He made a pretty good first impression on a lot of people here," manager Clint Hurdle said. "We will see how it plays out. Talk about getting out of the blocks good. Couldn't ask for much more out of Mr. Lee tonight." The sparkling debut wasn't enough, as the Cubs escaped with a 5-3 win over the slumping Pirates at PNC Park. Lee, who becomes the club's first baseman after Lyle Overbay was designated for"
Lee, Ludwick familiar with park, division
August 2
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates welcomed two new players to their roster Monday who are quite familiar with this city and this ballpark. Derrek Lee and Ryan Ludwick join the Pirates having both played for several seasons with National League Central Division rivals -- Lee parts of seven seasons with the Chicago Cubs and Ludwick parts of four seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. "I'm definitely familiar," Lee said at an introductory news conference. "I spent close to seven years in this division. There shouldn't be too many surprises pitching-wise and park-wise." Lee was acquired by the Pirates late Saturday night in a two-player swap with the Baltimore Orioles. The Pirates sent minor leaguer Aaron Baker to"
Lee homers twice in debut, but Pirates fall, 5-3
August 2
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Derrek Lee kicked down the door in his first game as a Pirates player, but it wasn't enough to stop the team's recent stretch of misfortune. Lee hit two home runs, but the Pirates lost, 5-3, Monday to the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park. They have lost four in a row, six of seven and nine of their past 12. "There's ups, there's downs, there's challenges," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "We've had our share. We got to play through them." That doesn't mean ignoring them. "One of the things I'm enjoying seeing right now is anger," Hurdle said, referring to his club's reaction to the struggles. "[Ticked] off would be a good word," starter Paul Maholm said. "Obviously it's no fun when you're"
Pirates anxious for Derrek Lee to arrive
August 1
Pittsburgh Tribune Review
 
"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"
Diaz expects Lee to be leader from Day 1
August 1
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Derrek Lee spent less than half of a season with the Atlanta Braves in 2010, joining the club via trade. But Pirates outfielder Matt Diaz , who played with Lee in Atlanta, said the first baseman immediately became a leader. "When he walked in Atlanta's locker room, even with the veterans we had last year, he was the instant go-to guy," Diaz said. He expects Lee to have the same type of effect in the Pirates' clubhouse as he prepares to welcome Lee to a new team for the second time in a little more than a year. The Pirates acquired Lee in a trade Saturday, which sent minor leaguer Aaron Baker to the Baltimore Orioles. Lee will join the Pirates today at PNC Park, surprising some that he did"
Pirates acquire Derrek Lee from Orioles
July 31
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"The Pirates acquired first baseman Derrek Lee from the Baltimore Orioles late Saturday night in exchange for Class A first baseman Aaron Baker. The Pirates moved Ryan Doumit to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Lee on the 40-man roster and said they would announce a 25-man roster move when Lee reported to the team. "We are pleased to add a quality veteran player like Derrek Lee to our ballclub," general manager Neal Huntington said in a statement. "He is an experienced, productive right-handed hitter and solid defender who should add to our team on the field and in the clubhouse." The Baltimore Sun reported that the Orioles would send Lee and cash to the Pirates. Lee, 35, was"
Amid trade rumors, Lee focuses on finishing strong
July 29
Baltimore Sun
 
"Derrek Lee has been in this situation before, so he is probably the last guy who is going to be affected by hearing his name in trade rumors. With the Chicago Cubs last year, Lee vetoed a deal to the Los Angeles Angels before the nonwaiver trade deadline. A month later, the veteran first baseman approved a trade to the Atlanta Braves and was part of their playoff team. Lee's first — and likely only — season with the Orioles has been a struggle, but the 35-year-old is swinging the bat as well as he has all season, and his defense and clubhouse presence would seemingly be attractive to contenders. The Arizona Diamondbacks and Pittsburgh Pirates could be two potential fits, and both clubs"
Orioles place Derrek Lee, Brian Roberts on the DL
May 20
Baltimore Sun
 
"As it turns out, the Orioles not only blew a six-run lead on Monday against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park, they lost the right side of their infield for what could be an extended period. Veteran first baseman Derrek Lee, who strained his left oblique in that game, was put on the 15-day disabled list Thursday. Second baseman Brian Roberts, who started Monday's contest with a head-first slide into first base to beat out an infield single, was put on the seven-day concussion disabled list. Roberts has been experiencing headaches and concussion symptoms following the slide into first base. That raised concern after the 33-year-old second baseman missed the final six games last season with"
Derrek Lee diagnosed with strained oblique
May 17
Baltimore Sun
 
"Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee left tonight's game with a strained left oblique and is listed by the club as day-to-day. Presumably, he'll be re-evaluated tomorrow and we'll know more, but it is the same injury that cost J.J. Hardy a month on the disabled list. We'll find out after the game when he suffered the injury. He made a sliding play at first base to help bail Chris Tillman out of a bases-loaded situation in the first and also made an awkward basket catch at the railing in the same inning."
Orioles' Lee 'getting better all the time'
March 23
Baltimore Sun
 
"It isn't often during spring training that you see a veteran and projected lineup regular enter the game in the fifth inning, but with Opening Day 10 days away, Derrek Lee is running out of time to get at-bats. After Vladimir Guerrero got two at-bats at designated hitter, Lee replaced him and went 0-for-2 with a groundout and a popout in the Orioles' 6-2 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday at Ed Smith Stadium. It was just Lee's second game this spring, and he's 0-for-4 with a walk. "He knows how important these at-bats are," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. "I talked to him and Vladi, guys might [think] it might be a little beneath them to get at-bats at the end, but it's part"
Lee still undecided on whether he'll play today
March 22
Baltimore Sun
 
"The Orioles have yet to post their lineup for the game today against the New York Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium. Part of the reason may be that veteran first baseman Derrek Lee's status is still in the air with his sore left foot. "It's feeling good," Lee said. "I'll test it out today and hopefully get in there today. If not today, tomorrow. If I can run and hit, I'll play." Lee admitted that he was concerned when the doctor said that he saw something suspicious with the X-ray. "I said, 'Oh boy.' But it's fine. The next day, it was very sore, but now it's getting better all the time.""
Lee and Roberts expected to play Sunday
March 20
Baltimore Sun
 
"Orioles first baseman Derrek Lee (sore wrist) took his first spring at-bat moments ago against Philadelphia lefty Cole Hamels. He came to the plate with runners on first and second and no outs in the first and fouled off his first pitch. He swung through a second and then took the next four to draw a walk and load the bases. Vladimir Guerrero followed with a RBI single and teh Orioles took a 1-0 lead."
Orioles get good news on injury front regarding Roberts, Duchscherer
March 17
Baltimore Sun
 
"On a day when they performed terribly on the field, the Orioles got much-needed positive news on the injury front as the imaging results on Brian Roberts and Justin Duchscherer turned up no new concerns and Derrek Lee and Koji Uehara moved closer to seeing game action. Still, there is no timetable on any of the four, and they are running out of time with Opening Night on April 1. Orioles manager Buck Showalter described Duchscherer's chances of making the Opening Day rotation as being "in peril" and said Roberts' opening the season with the club remains a "possibility," a softening of the stance team officials have taken on the second baseman for much of the spring. "As bad as our game was"
Scott's ready to play first base if Lee can't
March 10
Baltimore Sun
 
"The Orioles cling to the belief that veteran first baseman Derrek Lee will be ready to start the regular season on time, but manager Buck Showalter didn't hesitate when he was asked who would likely open at first base if Lee's sore wrist prevents him from getting enough at-bats this spring. It's the same guy who would have been the designated hitter if the Orioles hadn't signed Vladimir Guerrero, and the same guy who arrived in camp as the likely left fielder after the O's signed Guerrero and Lee. Luke Scott, of course. "That's probably the direction we'll go,'' Showalter said, "but don't hold me to that." Don't mistake that for Showalter being non-committal. He just knows that the club is"
Orioles' Lee sees hand specialist, will have MRI
March 9
Baltimore Sun
 
"The Orioles sent Derrek Lee to a hand specialist in Sarasota on Tuesday and he'll have an MRI on his right wrist there Wednesday, raising further doubt about whether the veteran first baseman will be ready for Opening Day. Lee, who hasn't played in a Grapefruit League game after having surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb in November, started experiencing right wrist soreness within the past week. He attributes the soreness to atrophy in his wrist after having his thumb in a cast for an extended period. The Orioles wanted to make sure that there were no further issues with the wrist and sent him to see hand specialist Dr. Brian Schofield, a Sarasota-based orthopedic"
Lee update
February 26
Baltimore Sun
 
"First baseman Derrek Lee said early today that he'll take the day off from hitting live pitching after waking up with some soreness in his surgically-repaired thumb. That's not great news, but he said that he has had to battle through some soreness after every advancement in his rehabilitation. "It's a little tender,'' he said, "but that's probably to be expected. Overly cautious. I was hoping I would wake up feeling 100 percent, but I kind of knew I'd wake up sore. When I first did soft toss, the next day it was sore. Every step has been like that, so I'm not going to try and fight through it. Just come back tomorrow.""
Derrek Lee thinks he'll be ready to hit sooner than expected
February 22
Baltimore Sun
 
"When the Orioles' position players gathered around the cage for their first live batting practice Monday afternoon, new first baseman Derrek Lee looked like he was going to sneak in and take some hacks. He didn't, of course, because he's still recovering from surgery on his right thumb and has been restricted to hitting soft toss in the indoor cages. "It's hard to sit and watch,'' Lee said, "but [hitting coach] Jim [Presley] and [manager] Buck [Showalter] keep telling me to be smart, so I'll be smart." Early on, Showalter projected that it might be a couple of weeks before Lee is cleared to hit live pitching, but Lee said he's progressing well and doesn't think it will be that long. "I"
Lee's optimism continues to rise as he meets new teammates
February 20
Baltimore Sun
 
"New Orioles' first baseman Derrek Lee reported to Ed Smith Stadium for the first time and saw familiar faces everywhere he looked. He played with Cesar Izturis, Felix Pie and Kevin Gregg in Chicago. He was part of All-Star festivities in 2007 with Vladimir Guerrero. He played against Robert Andino and Luke Scott in the National League. "A good day," said Lee, summing up his indoctrination to the Orioles' clubhouse. "I played with a lot of these guys, and against almost all of them at some point. It's good to be here and see the guys and put on the black and orange." When Lee, the two-time All-Star first baseman, passed his physical and finalized a one-year, incentive-laden $7.5 million"
Derrek Lee deal official; one year, $7.25 million
January 6
Baltimore Sun
 
"The Orioles have officially announced their one-year deal with 35-year-old first baseman Derrek Lee, who passed his team physical Wednesday, The deal is worth $7.25 million guaranteed this season, but could be worth as much as $10 million total if he hits certain performance bonuses. Lee is expected to talk with the Baltimore media this afternoon."
O's agree to terms with Lee
January 1
Baltimore Sun
 
"The Orioles are close to knocking off a big item from their offseason wish list as they have agreed to terms with free agent first baseman Derrek Lee, according to sources. The deal is pending a physical and the terms of the deal aren't currently known, but Lee's camp has made it clear that the veteran was content with a one-year pact worth between $8 and $10 million that would allow him to improve his value in anticipation of becoming a free agent again next offseason. Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail declined comment. Lee, a 35-year-old veteran of 14 big league seasons, batted .260 with 19 homers and 80 RBIs in 148 combined games for the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta"
Talks with LaRoche stalled, O's show renewed interest in Lee
December 22
Baltimore Sun
 
"With contract talks at an impasse, the Orioles have moved away from Adam LaRoche and renewed discussions with fellow free agent first baseman Derrek Lee, according to multiple industry sources. The development comes less than a week after the Orioles appeared to settle on LaRoche, the 31-year-old who hit .261 with 25 homers and 100 RBIs for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season, to fill their first-base vacancy. According to sources, the Orioles were negotiating almost exclusively with LaRoche's agent, Mike Milchin, last week, but the two sides have been unable to reach an agreement. It isn't clear whether the holdup is LaRoche's reported insistence on a three-year deal while the Orioles"
Nationals looking at Brandon Webb, Derrek Lee, Carl Pavano
December 13
MLB.com
 
"Brandon Webb "remains excited" about the Nationals, according to a baseball source. The Webb camp had talks with the Nationals during the Winter Meetings. If the Nationals sign Webb, it most likely will be an incentive-laden deal because Webb has not pitched in almost two years because of right shoulder problems. After having surgery last August, Webb was able to throw in the instructional league in late September and October without any problems. It's not a secret that Webb has a close relationship with Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, who drafted Webb in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft when Rizzo was director of scouting with the D-backs, and Phil Rizzo, the senior adviser to the"
Braves don't offer arbitration to free agent Derrek Lee
November 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"As expected, the Braves did not offer salary arbitration to free agent Derrek Lee, foregoing any chance of receiving draft compensation in exchange for him signing with another team. That proposition was too risky for the Braves considering the veteran first baseman is coming off thumb surgery and would have commanded more than $10 million in arbitration. Had Lee accepted and not signed with another team, he would have been difficult to trade, and the Braves have prospect Freddie Freeman ready to take over at first base next season. The Braves made that gamble and lost in 2003 when Greg Maddux accepted arbitration, made $14 million that year, and forced the Braves to trade Kevin Millwood."
Derrek Lee has surgery on his right thumb
November 9
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Free agent first baseman Derrek Lee(notes) has had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb, an injury that appeared to limit his production for much of the 2010 season. Lee, who turned 35 in September, is expected to recover well in advance of spring training. Performed Friday at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles by hand specialist Dr. Steven Shin, the surgery repaired damage sustained by Lee on April 5, opening day for the Chicago Cubs. Ninth in the National League MVP voting in 2009 when he batted .306 with 35 home runs and 111 RBIs, Lee's numbers fell to .260, 19 homers and 80 RBIs. In spite of the injury, he played in 148 games for the Cubs and Atlanta"
Derrek Lee has surgery on his right thumb
November 8
Yahoo! Sports
 
"Free agent first baseman Derrek Lee has had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb, an injury that appeared to limit his production for much of the 2010 season. Lee, who turned 35 in September, is expected to recover in advance of spring training. Performed Friday at the Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic in Los Angeles by hand specialist Dr. Steven Shin, the surgery repaired damage sustained by Lee on April 5, Opening Day for the Chicago Cubs. Ninth in the National League MVP voting in 2009, when he batted .306 with 35 home runs and 111 RBIs, Lee's numbers fell to .260, 19 homers and 80 RBIs. In spite of the injury, he played in 148 games for the Cubs and Atlanta Braves and,"
D-Lee, Braves got what they wanted: Postseason
October 7
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"Derrek Lee stood drenched in the playoff-bound Braves' clubhouse Sunday, smiling, exchanging hugs with teammates, wearing sunglasses to shield his eyes from celebratory champagne spray. This -- a postseason berth -- was what the veteran first baseman had in mind when he waived his no-trade clause and approved an Aug. 18 deal that sent him to Atlanta from the Chicago Cubs. "I didn't come over here to not make it," he said after the Braves made it in as the wild card with a win Sunday against Philadelphia on the last day of the season, coupled with a San Diego loss to San Francisco later that day. "We made it close, but we're in. Why make it easy? It's not fun that way, right?" Lee, 34, won"
Lee's grand slam lifts Braves to sweep of Mets
September 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"The Braves seldom have team meetings, especially not the players-only kind. Yet they called one on Friday after stumbling through a home series loss against Washington that put a serious dent in their postseason goals. After hearing David Ross, Billy Wagner and others say what the team needed to get back on track, the Braves went through the checklist during an impressive weekend sweep of the New York Mets. Derrek Lee crushed a seventh-inning grand slam Sunday in a 6-3 win at Citi Field, completing the Braves' second road sweep of the season and providing a boost before their much-anticipated showdown at Philadelphia that starts Monday. "That one felt good," said Lee, who hit a full-count,"
Derrek Lee's grand slam helps Atlanta Braves beat R.A. Dickey, sweep New York Mets
September 20
New York Daily News
 
"Before Sunday's game, the Mets presented Bobby Cox with a bottle of Tom Seaver's wine, to honor the retiring manager in his final trip to Citi Field. Their next gift was surely more meaningful to Cox - a 6-3 loss that completed Atlanta's three-game sweep, and enabled them to keep pace with Philadelphia in the National League East. The Braves entered the game trailing the Phillies by three. R.A. Dickey allowed 10 hits and did not strike out a batter, and left in the seventh inning with two on, nobody out and the game tied 2-2. Pedro Feliciano relieved him; he earned two outs and issued an intentional walk before handing the ball to Manny Acosta."
Cox sticking with Lee at first base
September 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 
"For those thinking a change might be coming at first base for the Braves, indications were on Wednesday, not so fast. Manager Bobby Cox had Derrek Lee in the lineup as usual, not choosing to give Troy Glaus a try. And when asked if he planned to get rookie Freddie Freeman in some this weekend with four right-handers going for the Cardinals, Cox said: "I haven't even thought about that." Lee has hit only .228 (13-for-57) without a home run in his first 17 games with the Braves, not exactly the punch they were hoping for when they traded for him three weeks ago. He had seven RBIs in his first 10 games with the Braves but none in the first seven games of September, entering Wednesday. Lee"
For ex-Cub Lee, a 'new beginning'
August 21
Southtown Star
 columnist Toni Ginnetti
"The first part of Derrek Lee's strange Friday started when he pulled into the Cubs parking lot and was told "no.'' "They said, 'You can't park here.' But they were playing a trick on me,'' he said, his presence and vehicle still welcome in their accustomed spot, even with Lee a member of the Atlanta Braves. "But it was weird walking past the (Cubs) clubhouse, seeing all the same workers. Definitely weird. I'm sure the first inning will be different, too. I'm used to catching the third out and running across the field.'' Before Lee took the field, he came to bat in the first to a standing ovation. Lee stepped from the batter's box and waved his helmet in acknowledging the crowd. He swung"
Standing O for Lee in 1st game at Wrigley as a Brave
August 21
Chicago Tribune
 
"His first day at Wrigley Field as an Atlanta Brave was like many of the others this season for Derrek Lee, except he received a standing ovation before his first at-bat. Lee went 0-for-3 against "one of my best friends in the game," Ryan Dempster, then struck out on three pitches against Carlos Marmol in the ninth inning. Before his first at-bat, Lee stepped out of the batter's box and tipped his helmet to the fans while Dempster backed off the mound to allow Lee time to enjoy the moment. "It can't be said enough times what a great teammate he is and what a great person he is," Dempster said. "I was happy to see the crowd give him the ovation that they did. It was weird facing him. I"
Braves make it interesting with trade for Derrek Lee
August 19
Philadelphia Daily News
 columnist Paul Hagen
"THE BRAVES had won two straight division titles. Still, the mood around the executive offices at drab, old AtlantaFulton County Stadium in July 1993 was hardly upbeat. They were playing all right . . . and the Giants were still threatening to turn the remainder of the schedule into a formality by Labor Day. Then general manager John Schuerholz swung a trade, getting first baseman Fred McGriff from the Padres. After Crime Dog joined the lineup, Atlanta went an incredible 51-17 the rest of the way, ending up with 104 wins and needing every one of them to edge San Francisco by a single game. In those simpler, pre-wild-card times the Braves went to the playoffs and the Giants went home. In the"
Cubs trade Derrek Lee to Braves for prospects
August 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"A dozen Derrek Lee jerseys were neatly folded and stacked up next to his locker Wednesday morning, but the Cubs first baseman was nowhere to be seen. Lee declined to speak to the media concerning a Tribune report that a trade to Atlanta was in the works. He didn't come out to the field and was receiving treatment on his lower back. But the deal is done, with the Cubs announcing after their 5-1 loss to the Padres that they had sent Lee and cash to the Braves for three pitching prospects: right-hander Robinson Lopez and left-handers Tyrelle Harrus and Jeffrey Lorick."
Braves, Cubs negotiating deal for Lee
August 18
MLB.com
 
"Looking to provide a right-handed presence in their lineup for the stretch run, the Braves appear to be close to landing Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee. The Braves and Cubs are negotiating the specifics of the trade. A source close to the situation said Wednesday that the Braves are in the midst of evaluating Lee's health. The 34-year-old first baseman has been sidelined since Monday with lower back discomfort. Lee, who declined to comment prior to Wednesday's game against the Padres at Wrigley Field, has a full no-trade clause that he exercised last month when the Cubs attempted to trade him to the Angels. It is unknown whether he has said he would accept a trade to the Braves. "There's no"
Source: Derrek Lee to Braves?
August 18
ESPN.com
 
"The Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves are working on a deal to send first baseman Derrek Lee to Atlanta for prospects, according to a league source. Lee, who is presently dealing with a bulging disc on his lower left side, received an epidural on Monday to relieve the pain and will not be ready to play again until Thursday. According to a Cubs official, Lee refused to speak to the media before Wednesday's afternoon game against the Padres. Braves top scout Jim Fregosi watched Lee hit four home runs during a series in St. Louis over the weekend. Fregosi reported back to general manager Frank Wren that Lee was swinging the bat as well as he has all season, according to a source. Atlanta lost"
Braves to move for Derrek Lee?
August 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
 columnist Mark Bradley
"Another day, another rumored trade. Earlier this week word circulated that the Braves wanted Aramis Ramirez, who's a third baseman for the Cubs. That was shot down because Ramirez is due to make $14.6 million next season, essentially the same as Chipper Jones, who plans to be back at third base in 2011. (Read Mark Bowman's nuanced post on MLB.com for the reasons why this rumor never had a prayer of becoming reality.) But now we move across the Cubbies' infield. Derrek Lee is the first baseman. He used to be really good. He's not as good now, but he's still OK. He also has a bad back.He's a free agent at season's end, which means he'd be a rental. (And yet another bridge to Freddie"
Cubs working on deal to send Lee to Braves
August 18
Chicago Tribune
 
"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"