Cubs, Lee agree on $6.9 million, one-year deal

 

 

January 19, 2004

CHICAGO (AP) -- First baseman Derrek Lee and the Chicago Cubs agreed to a $6.9 million, one-year deal Monday and avoided salary arbitration.

 

Lee, who helped the Florida Marlins win the World Series after they beat Chicago in the NL championship series, was traded to the Cubs in November for first baseman Hee Seop Choi.

 

Lee batted .271 with 31 homers, 92 RBIs and 21 steals last season, and had a slugging percentage of .508. He has 20 homers in each of his last four seasons and 40 steals over the last two years -- the most by any first baseman in the majors.

 

His power numbers are expected to improve at cozy Wrigley Field and he's also a stellar fielder at first base, having won his first Gold Glove last season.

 

He and the Cubs are expected to negotiate a longterm deal. He made $4.25 million last season.

 

``Chicago, you can't ask for better place to play baseball,'' Lee said right after the trade. ``It's a real good situation.''

 

Lee's father, Leon, is also a longtime scout for the Cubs.

his power #s will explode in chicago

he cant play in pps

thank god we traded away that 7 million

Sounds like Derek got just what is wanted. Good for him! He is a hell of a nice guy, and a great 1st baseman. I only wish we could have kept him, and from the looks of our payroll ($52M) we could have.

Cubs want to see just what he can do in the confines, he'll get paid nice after this year. Good Luck Dlee, until we come to town.

Lee told Baltimore, who wanted a three year commitment, he wanted a mult-year deal at $9 mil per. My guess, as much for his dad as anything else he settled for one year with the Cubs in hopes of signing THE BIG contract next season either with them or through free agency.