Derrek Lee Blocks Trade to Angels

[illiniguy]

They are right, he has every right to block a trade. We also have every right to sit him then and start moving forward.

[Outshined_One]

considering Lee is still in his mid 30s age-wise, I would think he'd be more inclined to be seeking 1 more multi-year deal on the FA market instead of accepting arbi from the Cubs to play for another year. If he accepts arbi and has another mediocre year, he can just about kiss goodbye any chance at another multi-year deal. But being just 1 year removed from a better season than this one, more teams may think he can still produce fairly well and offer a 2-4 year deal. thoughts?

 

FanGraphs was a big fan of his 2007-2009 years. Given his numbers, previous production, and the fact that he'll be 35 for a good chunk of next season makes me think he'd be worth a 2-3 year deal in the offseason.

[erik316wttn]

So were these trades worked out and finalized pending his approval? If so, I'm just curious to know the players that would have been swapped.

[jersey cubs fan]

considering Lee is still in his mid 30s age-wise, I would think he'd be more inclined to be seeking 1 more multi-year deal on the FA market instead of accepting arbi from the Cubs to play for another year. If he accepts arbi and has another mediocre year, he can just about kiss goodbye any chance at another multi-year deal. But being just 1 year removed from a better season than this one, more teams may think he can still produce fairly well and offer a 2-4 year deal. thoughts?

 

FanGraphs was a big fan of his 2007-2009 years. Given his numbers, previous production, and the fact that he'll be 35 for a good chunk of next season makes me think he'd be worth a 2-3 year deal in the offseason.

 

The 6 month period from May 2008 through April 2009 makes this season the second full season's worth of play (assuming he keeps playing like this) where he was a big disappointment. He seems to be a lot like a Vladdy type who is going to get a 1 year prove it contract.

[YearofDaCubs]

I understand it is his right to block trades but I don't have to like it. I really hope they sit him for the rest of the season and try out other players there. I don't see the Cubs resigning him anyway.

[Little Slide Rooter]

considering Lee is still in his mid 30s age-wise, I would think he'd be more inclined to be seeking 1 more multi-year deal on the FA market instead of accepting arbi from the Cubs to play for another year. If he accepts arbi and has another mediocre year, he can just about kiss goodbye any chance at another multi-year deal. But being just 1 year removed from a better season than this one, more teams may think he can still produce fairly well and offer a 2-4 year deal. thoughts?

 

FanGraphs was a big fan of his 2007-2009 years. Given his numbers, previous production, and the fact that he'll be 35 for a good chunk of next season makes me think he'd be worth a 2-3 year deal in the offseason.

 

The 6 month period from May 2008 through April 2009 makes this season the second full season's worth of play (assuming he keeps playing like this) where he was a big disappointment. He seems to be a lot like a Vladdy type who is going to get a 1 year prove it contract.

 

If the season ended today, D Lee would probably be looking at a 1 year deal in the 5-8 mil range. The fact of the matter is, much like Jermaine Dye before him he chose the wrong year to have the worst year of his career. Even if he does heat up, teams with money and the need for a 1B would probably be more inclined to wait another year for Adrian Gonzalez, Prince Fielder, and maybe Albert Pujols to become available. Derrek needs to waive that NTC to go to the contender if he wants a shot at a better deal. Maybe he doesnt view the Angels as contenders at this point,but the Cubs simply arent the place he should be right now.

[bhogg]

I understand the NTC, but at what point does a player realize that his team doesn't want him? That can't be a good situation.

[Keener98]

I really dont understand how players can block a trade to a team in a pennant race. These guys all talk about wanting to win etc...and yet hed rather stay with the losing Cubs for than go play in a pennant race? Its 2 months its not like his whole family has to up root and leave, hell hes not going to be actually in Chicago a whole lot those 2 months. Just makes no sense to me when all these athletes talk about their desire to win etc..

[dew1679666265]

I really dont understand how players can block a trade to a team in a pennant race. These guys all talk about wanting to win etc...and yet hed rather stay with the losing Cubs for than go play in a pennant race? Its 2 months its not like his whole family has to up root and leave, hell hes not going to be actually in Chicago a whole lot those 2 months. Just makes no sense to me when all these athletes talk about their desire to win etc..

 

Are the Angels in a pennant race? They're 8.5 out, one less than the Cubs.

[Guest]

The Cubs are closer to the playoffs than the Angels in terms of the loss column. There's only 1.5 games separating them in their respective playoff chases, and that's only realized if Texas wins those games they haven't played that LA has. It's really not a better situation, and I can't really blame Derrek for not wanting to move away from his family to go play there for 2 months(especially since there's no chance they'd keep him with Morales around).

[d_money]

Does D Lee want to retire a Cub at the end of the year? Maybe there is more to his back problems than we know about.

 

If he doesn't retire, does Hendry offer him a 1 yr. deal worth $6M? Who else do could we get (on the market or internally) that has his glove? And if we go to the market and don't sign Lee, we'd definitely be overpaying as it is.

[TheDude]

The Angels are skidding right now (2-8 last 10 games), but they may not have been 8.5 out when the proposal was made, so I don't think a comparison of today's standings is appropriate. The article just says in the last ten days this occurred. If it was a week ago, the Angels are right there and the scenario is different.

 

Despite the number of games right now, the Angels are still trying to get back in it, and the Cubs are not. The mentality of the Angels is one of a winning team, while the Cubs are known to be selling Fukudome, Lee, Theriot, Zambrano, Lilly, Nady, and possibly more. The bottom line for me: by refusing the trade, Lee is showing that winning is not his first priority. If I'm a GM this off-season, I remember that when looking at veteran 1B.

[Backtobanks]

The Angels are skidding right now (2-8 last 10 games), but they may not have been 8.5 out when the proposal was made, so I don't think a comparison of today's standings is appropriate. The article just says in the last ten days this occurred. If it was a week ago, the Angels are right there and the scenario is different.

 

Despite the number of games right now, the Angels are still trying to get back in it, and the Cubs are not. The mentality of the Angels is one of a winning team, while the Cubs are known to be selling Fukudome, Lee, Theriot, Zambrano, Lilly, Nady, and possibly more. The bottom line for me: by refusing the trade, Lee is showing that winning is not his first priority. If I'm a GM this off-season, I remember that when looking at veteran 1B.

 

I don't believe that for a second. There's a good chance the Angels aren't going to make the playoffs this year and Lee exercised his rights not to uproot his family for 2 months and then probably uproot them again wherever he signs. Actually, I think it shows a lot of character to make the decision he made.

[davell]

Although it was just speculation from Harold Reynolds, he at least mentioned another possibility anyway: That Lee knows there are teams out there interested in him that are more in contention than the Angels and could be waiting on one of them to make an offer......

 

That said, I figure this has to do with his daughter most likely, especially seeing his comments, saying it's a private matter that he'll talk about when the time is right.

[Little Slide Rooter]

Angels are closer to contention than The Cubs, records aside. Both teams may both be a similar amount of games back, but The Angels have 1 team ahead of them and the Cubs have 3.

[haubrich91]

I think it's obvious - it's all about long term for D-Lee. He knows the Angels have Morales who'll be back next year and for many years to come. He also knows he has leverage over the Cubs since no one in the system is near ready to take over the position. So what's the point of him getting traded, more than likely not make the playoffs with a mediocre team, and potentially find a third home (teams) in about four months span?

[CubsWin]

I think it's obvious - it's all about long term for D-Lee. He knows the Angels have Morales who'll be back next year and for many years to come. He also knows he has leverage over the Cubs since no one in the system is near ready to take over the position. So what's the point of him getting traded, more than likely not make the playoffs with a mediocre team, and potentially find a third home (teams) in about four months span?

There's nothing blocking DLee from resigning with the Cubs during the offseason if he feels this is the best place for him contract wise or family wise or whatever his reasons.

 

Blocking the trade only does two things. It keeps him from having to uproot himself and be away from his family more over the next few months and it keeps the Cubs from getting whatever prospects they might have for his services.

[Wheelimus]

Can't really blame a guy for not jumping from a hopeless situation to a slightly less hopeless situation.

 

That being said, if he really were as true blue as he's making himself out to be he'd offer to sign a $3 to $4 million one year extension to prove himself next year. Not expecting him to do so.

[jersey cubs fan]

Can't really blame a guy for not jumping from a hopeless situation to a slightly less hopeless situation.

 

That being said, if he really were as true blue as he's making himself out to be he'd offer to sign a $3 to $4 million one year extension to prove himself next year. Not expecting him to do so.

 

If he wants to stay in Chicago the smart thing to do is go to free agency and see what the market for your services is and then see how close to that market the Cubs are willing to get. If he's offer 2/16 somewhere else I wouldn't blame him for not signing a $3m contract here.

[SouthSideRyan]

I think it's obvious - it's all about long term for D-Lee. He knows the Angels have Morales who'll be back next year and for many years to come. He also knows he has leverage over the Cubs since no one in the system is near ready to take over the position. So what's the point of him getting traded, more than likely not make the playoffs with a mediocre team, and potentially find a third home (teams) in about four months span?

There's nothing blocking DLee from resigning with the Cubs during the offseason if he feels this is the best place for him contract wise or family wise or whatever his reasons.

 

Blocking the trade only does two things. It keeps him from having to uproot himself and be away from his family more over the next few months and it keeps the Cubs from getting whatever prospects they might have for his services.

 

Derrek Lee doesn't owe the Cubs prospects for his services. In turn, the Cubs don't owe him the right to play every day to prove himself to future employers. This would matter a lot more if the Cubs had a 1B prospect who they could get some playing time (hey 2002 Cubs), as it is you let him play out the season, chase the big names via trade in the offseason, and go from there.

[Guest]

Who will be available in FA this winter that also plays 1st? The Cubs have 0 prospects that can play first now or anytime soon.

 

I can understand Lee not wanting to go. It's very tough psychologically to move half-way across North America for two months and then potentially move again. Also, I believe he has a young child with health problems.

 

I don't really know who is available via a trade or FA, but I'd be willing to bet the Cubs offer him arbitration in the off-season if he doesn't go before then.

 

Hendry painted the Cubs into this mess, not Lee. I still cannot believe that Hendry will get to keep his job.

[JonJayCutler]

Who will be available in FA this winter that also plays 1st? The Cubs have 0 prospects that can play first now or anytime soon.

 

Unfortunately the Colvin at 1B experiment looks like a real possibility.

[dew1679666265]

Who will be available in FA this winter that also plays 1st?

 

Adam Dunn WAS

Lance Berkman HOU *

Wes Helms FLA

Jason Giambi COL

Paul Konerko CWS

Derrek Lee CHC

David Ortiz BOS *

Lyle Overbay TOR

Carlos Pena TB

Albert Pujols STL *

 

Jorge Cantu, Ty Wigginton, Brad Hawpe and Michael Cuddyer can also play first.

[RynoRules]

Who will be available in FA this winter that also plays 1st?

 

Adam Dunn WAS

Lance Berkman HOU *

Wes Helms FLA

Jason Giambi COL

Paul Konerko CWS

Derrek Lee CHC

David Ortiz BOS *

Lyle Overbay TOR

Carlos Pena TB

Albert Pujols STL *

 

Jorge Cantu, Ty Wigginton, Brad Hawpe and Michael Cuddyer can also play first.

 

Dunn please. 3 yr's, $35-40 mill, mutual option for a fourth.

 

EDIT: If we insist on going "cheap", I 'd consider Cuddyer for 2 yr's at 5 million per year.

Edited July 29, 2010 by RynoRules

[bannor10]

My two cents...or Less...This is exactly the problem...We have players that are used to losing and it doesn't bother them...Maybe Z was in the right for blasting his sub par play and effort.... DLee would rather play for a last place team than have a chance to be on another winning team at age 35... He should be waived before he infects Castro and Colvin anymore..