Lee To The Angels? Comes Up Again

When the Los Angeles Angels first lost their first baseman Kendry Morales a month ago, many rumors suggested that the Angels targeted Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee for  Morales’s replacement. But, since then we have not heard much talk about a possible Derrek Lee trade to the Angels. Until today, When Fox Sports Jon Paul Morosi writes that the Angels make the most sense for Derrek Lee.

If the Cubs actually are intent on selling some of their veteran pieces at this year’s trading deadline, Derrek Lee would probably be a good piece to sell to a contending team. While Lee has struggled this year offensively and at time defensively, given his veteran presence in a clubhouse, he would be a good addition to any contending team.

Another thing that puts a snag in any possible Lee trade is the no trade clause that exists in his contract. While his name has been thrown around in rumors for most of the past two months, Lee has remained committed to finishing out the season with the Chicago Cubs. But as Morosi notes, I think Lee would be willing to accept a deal if it was to the right team. Given the fact that Lee spends his off-seasons in California, you would have to imagine that he would be open to playing in Los Angeles. Also, Lee may boost his free agent value if he gets the chance to play for a contending team.

It is fair to say that the Cubs would probably not be getting much value for Lee if they were to trade him. Given the fact that Lee has struggled all season, derails any hope of the Cubs getting a good package of prospects for him. Instead, the Cubs would just be happy for a team to take the remaining $5.79MM owed to him for the remainder of the season.

If the Cubs move Lee before the trade deadline, it is not immediately known who would finish out the year at first base for the Cubs. Right now it would be Xavier Nady, but there is a good chance that he will be traded in the coming weeks. It is fair to say that the Cubs would probably call up either Micah Hoffpauir or Bryan LaHair to replace Derrek Lee at first. Hoffpauir is hitting .239/.332/.426 with 10 home runs and 56 RBI’s. Whereas Bryan LaHair is hitting .311/.384/.525 with 10 home runs and 42 RBI’s.