DLEE to the Braves...

Today is a sad day for Cub fans, as first baseman Derrek Lee was traded to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for 3 pitching prospects. Derrek Lee's 7 year tenure is over after a shaky 2010 season. Lee came over after the 2003 season where he won the world Series with the Florida Marlins. He came over via trade.

Derrek Lee was traded for pitching prospects Robinson Lopez, Tyrelle Harris, and Jeffrey Lorick. The Cubs will also pay some of the 3.4M left on Lee's contract. The amount is unknown.
The Cubs actually got a good return for Lee because he has back problems, older and is a free agent after the 2010 season. I think all 3 pitchers can make the team as a bullpen pitcher. Maybe, that's a little sarcasm but the pen needs new pitchers and who can get outs. It doesn't hurt to try new pitchers out at this point of the season. I think Lopez will be sent to Daytona, Harris to the Smokies and Lorick to Daytona or the Smokies.

This is a move that caught everybody by surprise, but in some ways it didn't. Lee will not be offer arbitration and there's a good chance he won't be back for the 2011 season. Lee has not played since Sunday after he left after 2 at-bats with back pain. Also, Lee rejected a trade to LAA before the deadline and that's another reason why this caught everybody by surprise. Lee said "He has a better chance to win in ATL and LAA probably won't even make the playoffs".

The Cubs will call-up 1B Micah Hoffpauir to take his spot on the roster and could get the start tomorrow in place of Nady. We have seen Hoffpauir this year and he was pathetic. I think it's time for another 1B to get called and I would like to see Brian LaHair get the call to the majors. He has put up pretty good stats for Triple A this season.

Me, like many other Cub fans are sadden with the departure of Lee, but like I said, this is a move that had to be done. I hope for the best for Lee in ATL and hope he wins a world series with ATL. It's funny because Lee will be back at Wrigley when ATL play the Cubs this weekend at Wrigley. I expect Lee to get a standing ovation when he takes hist 1st at-bat at Wrigley on Friday. Too bad I will miss it because of work.

I expect at least 1 more trade before the Aug 31st deadline. 2 players that could be gone are IF Jeff Baker and 1B/OF Xavier Nady. I'll keep you posted as more moves could be on the way soon.