Derrek Lee

Derrek Lee was traded to the Atlanta Braves August 18, 2010.

Derrek Lee

Derrek Lee was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 1993 and made is debut in 1997. He was traded the next year to the Florida Marlins where is played until being traded to the Chicago Cubs following the 2003 season. Lee was a member of the Florida Marlins and was instrumental in helping them win the 2003 World Series against the New York Yankees. We all remember that year when the Cubs came within 5 outs of beating the Marlins in the NLCS. Lee did all right in the series hitting one home run but only batted .188.
We won't hold that against him.

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The Florida Marlins build a great team with young players and soon after becoming successful they trade them. Must be a payroll thing. In any case the Chicago Cubs benefited by obtaining him. Lee continued on the same path he had with the Marlins and became a fixture at first base. While we usually look at hitting as a way to value our players, Derrek Lee was a premier first baseman. He earned his first gold glove with the Marlins in 2003 and followed that up with one with the Cubs in 2005 and 2007.

Derrek Lee Autographed Photo

Derrek Lee signed a five year contract in 2006 that goes through the 2010 season. It includes a no trade clause. That year Lee broke his wrist in a collision at first base that put him on the disabled list for 59 days. It was an injury that bothered him the rest of the year and there is still some question as to how it affects him now. His power has suffered since. After having a career year in 2005 by winning the NL batting title, his 46 home runs were his highest of his career. He hasn't come close in 2007 or 2008, hitting only 22 and 20 those two years. It may be the wrist never healed all the way or never regained the strength. His run production is a little lower but not that much considering his home run production is less than half. His batting average also is lower but .335 would have been difficult to maintain.

Derrek has started out slow this year, which is not abnormal for him. He usually is a slow starter in the spring. But the Cubs are going to need his bat and run production, especially while Ramirez is on the DL. Lou Pinella has acknowledged, and I agree, that the Cubs success rests with their first baseman and third baseman.

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