SI.com article on the deal...

Nothing we don't already know, really.

Trade of Lee likely precursor to other departures

MIAMI (AP) -- Derrek Lee is gone. Who's next?

The Gold Glove-winning first baseman who hit 31 home runs and drove in 92 runs for the world champion Florida Marlins was traded Tuesday to the Chicago Cubs for first baseman Hee Seop Choi and a minor league player to be named.

The trade was made as Florida tries to keep its payroll manageable while keeping the pitching intact, Marlins GM Admin Beinfest said Tuesday.

"Our owner has shown that he likes to win and wants to remain competitive. That is our goal," he said.

Beinfest said Choi's left handed bat will add power to a mostly right-handed lineup. And he said the move frees up some money to tender a contract offer to pitcher A.J. Burnett as he recovers from an elbow injury.

The move is likely a precursor to other departures as Beinfest and owner Jeffrey Loria attempt to maintain a manageable payroll without alienating fans who remember the fire-sale after their first World Series title in 1997.

Beinfest confirmed Tuesday that the Marlins have made offers to third baseman Mike Lowell and second baseman Luis Castillo, though he did not discuss numbers. Castillo has reportedly been offered a three-year deal in the range of $15 million to $18 million.

Still, the Marlins, who won the World series with a $54 million payroll, have said keeping the team intact would have raised the 2004 payroll to more than $80 million. That led to the Lee trade and could lead to other moves.

The Marlins could possibly lose Castillo, catcher Ivan Rodriguez and closer Ugueth Urbina -- all of whom have filed for free agency -- without getting anything back.

A long list of players eligible for raises in arbitration includes Lowell, right fielder Juan Encarnacion and starting pitchers Brad Penny and Mark Redman. At least one or two of them could still be traded. Lee also was eligible for arbitration.

Beinfest said it was "a little bit premature" to discuss any future deals.

"We have a lot of things going on here. We've been aggressive," Beinfest said.

Lee, 28, came to the Marlins as part of the dismantling of the last World Series team when he was acquired from the San Diego Padres for pitcher Kevin Brown in 1997. Lee struggled early to produce power numbers in spacious Pro Player Stadium, but eventually became a producer. He has hit more than 20 home runs in four straight years, and had 19 and 21 stolen bases in the past two seasons.

Beinfest said Choi will be given the chance to compete for first base with Jeff Conine and praised the young first baseman's hitting potential.

Choi played in 80 games for the Cubs last season, hitting .218 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs.

The team said Choi, who suffered a concussion in a collision with teammate Kerry Wood last season, passed medical tests before the trade was approved.

"We don't think that we've seen the real power this guy can produce," Beinfest said.