Derek Lee becomes an Atlanta Braves player
The two time All Star first baseman, Derek Leon Lee, has finally moved on to the Atlanta Braves after hanging his no trade waiver up. The former Chicago Cubs hitter was previously offered the choice to move to the Los Angeles Angels in July. However, now the immovable figure has decided to hang his boots for his team and move on to a ball club with a chance to reach the playoffs.
Derek Lee was in the final year of his five year $65 million contract with the Cubs and the move comes as no surprise. With figures depicting a career .282 average, the big player has rebounded from a testing starting half of the season to bat on .313 with six home runs to his name and 20 running Bat Ins (RBI) since the All-Star Season Break. The mighty pitcher smasher was encumbered with a left foot injury in spring training. The thumb problem from April and the sporadic back issues have slowed the athlete down in recent times. Being less effective and efficient has rendered the batsman’s value risky over time.
However, the batter is a volatile figure. It only is a wonder how much the 34 year old can make a difference for his new team. It should not surprise many when the recent game against the St. Louis Cardinals saw the former Chicago hitter smash four home runs across the ball club. That kind of performance is what truly makes Derek seem a force to be reckoned with. The last time he hit a home run was 20 fixtures earlier. So in a way, the veteran is a sleeping giant that the Atlanta Braves will know well on how to use.
The Braves have had their reasons for recruiting the powerful hitter. Third Baseman, Chipper Jones was recently lost to a knee injury, a week ago and his replacement, Troy Glaus has taken up the role effectively. He also has made a comeback, batting on .175 in his previous 45 matches. However, the player has been performing on sore knees and it has been announced that he will be placed on the Disabled List (DL). Derek’s introduction to the team makes room for speculation that he will occupy the first baseman or the third baseman role.
It is believed that Martin Prado is expected to return for the Braves to occupy the third baseman position. However, the most optimistic view is that Glaus will be lined up with Lee together as a more flexible formation will be presented to the management in that stance. Given that the Atlanta side make it to the World Series, there may be a possibility for Derek to become a designated hitter for the team.
The Cubs attained three minor League prospect pitchers as part of the deal exchange. Left hander Jefferey Lorick, along with right handers, Robinson Lopez and Tyrelle Harris (A highly regarded 19 year old class A starter) were the players to go the other way from Atlanta.
On the move by the Braves, Chipper Jones had a few words to share about Derek Lee, “It doesn’t get any better. Outstanding character guy, outstanding player; defensively at first base, he’s top notch. And he gives us another right-handed presence in the middle of our line up.”
The Cubs will be facing the Braves in the near future as this may come as a strange encounter for Derek Lee but the hitter will not mind to see himself go against his former team mates. On the coming encounter the first base man had a few words to share, “I’ll probably have to stop myself from running to this dugout. It’ll be different but it’ll be exciting. Sometimes it’s even more fun to compete against your friends because you can talk a little trash afterward.”
It only begs to be seen what Lee have to offer to the Braves. It may be a blessing in disguise for Lee to be part of the team, but will it change things for the Atlanta side.
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