Kuzul

Although the Atlanta Braves have been leading the NL East for some time now, they made a number of trades to try and strengthen their team for the stretch run.

With the Phillies getting key players back in their lineup seemingly every day, the Braves were looking for guys like Rick Ankiel, Derek Lee, and Kyle Farnsworth to fill in some holes that the team had.

The Braves did well by not giving up any major prospects (although Tim Collins could be great, his value is limited by the fact that he is a reliever; the best prospect they gave up was Robinson Lopez, who has a high ceiling but is unpolished as of right now) and seemingly improved their ballclub.

However, if the Braves are going to be playing throughout October, the new arrivals will need to step up their play since they haven’t exactly set the world on fire since joining the Braves.

Thus far, Alex Gonzalez has been the only new arrival to play reasonably close to his expectations. Gonzalez has a better batting average (.267 to .259) in Atlanta but a lower slugging percentage and OPS. While Yunel Escobar has actually played better, the Braves have to be happy that unlike Escobar, Gonzalez isn’t a distraction who seems to have his head elsewhere during a pennant race.

Unlike Gonzalez, Lee, Ankiel, and Farnsworth haven’t given the Braves much of anything since coming to Atlanta.

In 20 games, Ankiel was hitting just .212 and slugging just .318. Gregor Blanco, a centerfielder the Braves sent to the Royals (who in my opinion, should have been given more of a chance after hitting .310 with the team earlier this year) has a .275 batting average and eight stolen bases (as well as .362 slugging percentage, which is bad but higher than Ankiel’s) in 18 games with the Royals.

Although The Farns had done well earlier this year with Kansas City, he has been terrible with the Braves, posting a 9.45 ERA in his first 6.2 innings pitched. Although he is striking out a ton of batters, walks (he has already allowed five) have been a problem.

Finally, we get to the Braves most recent acquisition, first baseman Derrek Lee.

Brought in after Chipper Jones was injured to give the Braves more pop in their lineup, Lee has sucked the life out of the cleanup spot. In his first five games with the club, Lee has just two hits (and eight strikeouts) in 19 at-bats.

To be fair to all the players acquired (especially Lee), it is important to note that they have only a small amount of at-bats in Atlanta. If any of the Braves new acquisitions were to go on a month long tear through the end of the season, they would end up with terrific numbers in a Braves uniform despite their slow starts.

With Utley, Howard, and Victorino all back in the Phillies lineup, the Braves will likely need some added offense to hold off Philadelphia over the remainder of the year. If Ankiel and Lee can start hitting like they have in the past, the Braves should finish strong and be playing into October. 

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It wasn’t a good day for a few of the better starters in the league.  Let’s take a look at their struggles, plus all the other noteworthy performances from yesterday’s games—

American League—

• Justin Masterson (6.0 IP, 5 ER, 11 H, 1 BB, 5 K)—Cleveland Indians—The numbers this season are awful, and we all know it.  However, he entered the day with a .337 BABIP and 65.6% strand rate.  The control is an issue (4.3 BB/9), but he is generating groundballs at a tremendous rate (62.7%).  Don’t write him off, with that groundball ability.
• Felix Hernandez (8.0 IP, 0 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 11 K, W)—Seattle Mariners—He got all the offense he needed from Russell Branyan (2-5, 2 HR, 4RBI, 2 R) as he stymied the Yankees for the third time this season (3-0, 0.35 ERA with 31 Ks over 26.0 IP).  Despite winning just nine games thus far, the rest of his numbers are as good as you’d expect (2.51 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 183 K).  He’s a fantasy ace, though how much better would he be if he was on a better team?
• C.J. Wilson (8.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 12 K, W)—Texas Rangers— Who saw this type of season coming?  He’s now 12-5 with a 3.02 ERA, though it’s hard to imagine him being able to repeat this.  He’s currently sporting a .257 BABIP, so there certainly is a little bit of luck in his performance.  He also entered the day with a 7.0 K/9, having only three starts with more then 6 Ks.  Don’t expect him to become a strikeout machine.  Don’t get me wrong, he has emerged as a solid option in all formats, but there is room for a regression.
• Jon Lester (2.0 IP, 9 ER, 8 H, 3 BB, 1 K)—Boston Red Sox—It was an unbelievably bad performance, but what are you going to do?  He’s an ace, and you have to expect him to bounce back strong.
• Lyle Overbay (4-5, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3 R)—Toronto Blue Jays—He had just 7 RBI in August prior to this one and has been struggling all year long.  It’s hard to put too much stock into this game, but if you were one of the few who actually had him active, you certainly reaped the rewards.  Don’t go banking on a repeat performance, though.  There isn’t much in his numbers to point to that is overly encouraging.  Overall, his BABIP is .295, his HR/FB is 11.8% and his strikeout rate is 23.4%.  All of those numbers are in the vicinity of his career marks.
• Dan Haren (7.0 IP, 7 ER, 11 H, 1 BB, 3 K)—Arizona Diamondbacks—Since the trade that sent him to LA, Haren has gone 1-4 with a 4.39 ERA and 1.27 WHIP.  His control has actually been superb, walking just five batters in 41.0 innings, and the HR are down from his time in Arizona (five home runs allowed).  Where he has struggled is striking people out (5.9 K/9) and in his luck (.322 BABIP).  Considering he’s posted a K/9 of at least 7.0 every year since 2006, that has to be a slight concern.  He’s not likely to strikeout 8.5/9 innings, like he was in the NL, but he’s better then this.  More strikeouts will certainly help lead to better results.
• Jeremy Hellickson (6.1 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 7 K)—Tampa Bay Rays—You knew he couldn’t give up just three hits every time out, right?  This wasn’t an awful outing, but clearly it wasn’t quite up to his previous starts.  The question now is, how much longer will he stick in the rotation?  Time will tell, but monitor the news before counting on him.

National League:

• Yovani Gallardo (3.1 IP, 6 ER, 6 H, 5 BB, 1 K)—Milwaukee Brewers—He’s certainly going through a rough stretch, having allowed four earned or more in four of his last five starts.  You have to wonder if there is something going on, but it’s hard to say.  In fact, the struggles go back all the way to mid-June.  In 11 starts, he has six giving up at least 4 ER (and another where he gave up 6 runs in 2.2 innings, but only 1 was earned).  In six starts since the All-Star Break, he’s sporting a 5.81 ERA.  All you can do is stick with him, as he’s proven how good he can be, and hope for him to turn things back around.
• Mike Stanton (0-4)—Florida Marlins—He has struggled since being moved up to the fifth spot in the order.  He’s 1-15 in his last four games and doesn’t have a HR or RBI since August 13.  Overall in the fifth spot he’s hitting .133 with 0 HR and 0 RBI.  Chances are he’s just pressing a bit, so don’t get too worried.  Once he settles in, he should start producing bombs like he was.  Just wait it out.
• Roy Halladay (7.0 IP, 0 ER, 8 H, 3 BB, 5 K, W)—Philadelphia Phillies—The Nationals certainly weren’t silenced, with 10 hits in the game, but they couldn’t break through against Halladay or the Phillies bullpen.  Halladay has now won six straight runs, allowing 1 ER or less in six of them (total is 7 ER over 46 innings).
• Carlos Marmol (1.0 IP, 3 ER, 1 H, 3 BB, 3 K)—Chicago Cubs—Control has always been the biggest concern, and it cost him big time in this one.  He had put together a stretch of 7.2 innings without a walk, but has now walked five in his last 2.2 innings.  He’s got the talent, if he could harness his control.  Overall this season, he’s posted a BB/9 of 6.2.  You have to wonder that if Marmol shows no signs of improving there, will they will continue to stick with him as their closer long-term.
• Derrek Lee (0-4)—Atlanta Braves—He was in the cleanup spot for his Braves debut.  While it wasn’t a good day, it’s only one game.
• Chris Carter (2-4, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R)—New York Mets—Inserted into the cleanup spot, Carter was at the center of a Mets offense that finally produced.  Six Mets had multi-hit games, including Jose Reyes (3-5, 2 R, 1 SB), Angel Pagan (2-5, 1 R) and David Wright (3-5, 2 R, 1 SB).  While Carter will likely be given another day or two in the cleanup spot, he’s not a viable fantasy option.
• Pablo Sandoval (2-5, 1 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R)—San Fransisco Giants—That’s back-to-back games with a HR and three in his last six.  Of course, he’s just 5-23 with tree HR, three RBI and three runs in those six games, so it appears to be a home run or bust.  Still, at least he’s showing something, right?
• Eric Young Jr. (3-5, 1 R)—Colorado Rockies—He appears to have claimed the 2B job, at least for now, and is hitting atop the Rockies order.  In six games since his recall he’s gone 8-25 with three R and three SB.  He’s not known for his average, hitting .250 in the minor leagues this year, though he had hit at least .290 every year prior.  Speed is his game, so if you are in need there, he’s certainly going to have value.  We’ll take a closer look at him early this week.
• Homer Bailey (7.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K, W)—Cincinnati Reds—Has he finally turned the corner?  It seems like we’ve been waiting years for it to happen, but he’s 2-0 while allowing just one ER over 13.0 innings in two starts since returning from the minor leagues.  I wouldn’t declare anything quite yet, but he’s worth keeping a close eye on down the stretch.

What are your thoughts from yesterday’s games?

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2:20 pm ET, Friday, Aug. 20 TV: CSN, SPSO

Probable pitchers: Ryan Dempster (11-8, 3.62) vs. Jair Jurrjens (5-4, 3.92)

4:10 pm ET, Saturday, Aug. 21 TV: FOX

Probable pitchers: Tom Gorzelanny (6-7, 3.85) vs. Tommy Hanson (8-8, 3.41)

2:20 pm ET, Sunday, Aug. 22 TV: WGN, FSS

Probable pitchers: Randy Wells (5-11, 4.44) vs. Mike Minor (1-0, 3.75)

2010 season matchups

This is the second series between the two clubs this season.  They played against each other in the season-opening series in Atlanta.  The Braves took two games out of three with victories of 16-5 and 3-2.  The Cubs avoided the sweep by winning the last game, 2-0.

This weekend series is the last between Chicago and Atlanta in the 2010 season. 

It also means that this will be the last time both managers, Lou Piniella of the Cubs and Bobby Cox of the Braves, will face against each other as managers.  They both earlier this year announced their retirements after this season.  Cox ranks fourth in all-time managerial wins with 2,484.  Piniella ranks 14th with 1,834.

The Cubs have played 19 times so far this season against teams from the NL East.  They have only won eight with a winning percentage of .421. 

The Braves, however, have won 23 out of 44 (.523) against NL Central teams, but their away-game record is 27-33.

Chicago Cubs (50-72)

Notes

The Cubs will end their seven-game homestand with three games against the Braves.  They are going through a very tough schedule.  In the past 2.5 weeks, they have been playing continuously against teams who are in either first or second place in their divisions.

The other clubs they faced were the Cincinnati Reds (0-3), the San Francisco Giants (1-3), the St. Louis Cardinals (2-1), and the San Diego Padres (0-4). 

In that span they lost 11 games out of 14, and in the month of August they have a record of 5-14.

The Cubs will visit the Washington Nationals for a three-game set starting on Monday.  Then, on Thursday, they will enjoy a rare day off, which they have not had since August 5.

The Cubs were just swept by the San Diego Padres, the NL West leaders, in this week’s four-game series. 

It will be weird this weekend to see recently-traded former Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee in a Braves’ uniform and sitting in the visitors’ dugout.  On Tuesday he was acquired by Atlanta.  In return, the Cubs received for three minor league pitchers—Robinson Lopez, Tyrelle Harris, and Jeffrey Lorick.

Outfielder Sam Fuld was promoted from Triple-A Iowa to fill in Lee’s spot on the Cubs’ roster.  He appeared in Thursday’s game, pinch-hitting in the sixth inning.

Offense

The Cubs offense is struggling. 

They were shut down by the Padres pitching staff this week.  They only scored nine runs in four games (2.25 per game) and had a .224 batting average. 

Chicago only hit one home run in the last four games, and it came from second baseman Blake DeWitt.  He hit for .308 (4-for-13) during the current homestand.

The Cubs’ clean-up hitter, Aramis Ramirez, has not scored a run in his past five games and drew only one walk with two RBI.

Xavier Nady, who replaced Derrek Lee at first base, was unable to post the same offensive numbers that Lee did.  He was the starter in the past five games but had only four hits in 16 at-bats (.250) and struck out five times.

Pitching

Ryan Dempster is the Cubs’ most consistent and reliable starter.   Looking for his 12th win of the season Friday, he tied last year’s total victories (11) last Sunday by beating the St. Louis Cardinals.  The right-hander tossed 6.2 innings, allowing two runs and five hits with six strikeouts.  His career-high in wins is 17, which he established in 2008 with the Cubs. 

He is 3-0 in August with an excellent ERA of 1.40.  But his lifetime record against the Braves is not so pretty: 2-11, 4.94.   

Tom Gorzelanny will pitch on Saturday.  He took the loss against the San Diego Padres Monday night and was responsible for five runs in 6.1 innings.  He has not won in last four starts, including two no-decisions.

In his career he made three starts and two relief appearances against the Braves.  He is 1-1 with a 3.80 ERA. 

Randy Wells’ win total has been stuck at five since July 23, when he won 5-0 against the St. Louis Cardinals.  He has been on the losing side ever since, taking four losses in five games. 

But he pitched a gem in his last outing by limiting the Padres to one run and three hits in seven innings.  He still lost that match because the Cubs did not provide any run support in a 1-0 loss.

He got his first win of this season in the season-opening series against the Braves.  The right-hander shut out the opponents in six innings of work. 

There are some concerns about the bullpen, which is filled with five rookies.  Their recent performances show their immaturity and lack of major league experience. 

For example, James Russell has given up three runs in his last 1.2 innings.  Marcos Mateo has conceded six in 3.1.  Andrew Cashner has choked up four runs in 3.1 (two coming from two wild pitches).  

But it seems manager Lou Piniella has to stick with these youngsters until the end of the year.

Atlanta Braves (71-50)

Notes

The Braves are sitting in first place in the NL East, a position they have been occupying since May 31.  Through Friday, they are 2.5 games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies. 

They completed a six-game homestand before coming to Chicago, winning both series against the Los Angeles Dodgers (3-1) and the Washington Nationals (2-1).  Their last game was a 6-2 loss to the Nationals.

Chicago is their first destination on a six-game road trip.  They will finish it with the Colorado Rockies in Denver next week. 

Offense

The signing of Derrek Lee came at the right time for the Braves, as their regular first baseman Troy Glaus was inserted onto the 15-day disabled list because of his sore left knee.  Glaus leads the team in RBI (70).

Atlanta-bound Lee will play first base for the Braves some time in this series.  Before the trade, he missed a couple of Cubs games this week because of stiffness in his back.  He had four home runs in his last three games before the injury. 

Lee is batting .251 with 16 home runs and 56 RBI this season.

The Braves also lost their veteran third baseman Chipper Jones.  He was diagnosed with a torn ACL.  Surgery is required, and he is out for the rest of this season.

Martin Prado rejoined the team Monday in Washington after he was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list.  His first game back with the team provided an immediate offensive boost, as he went 3-for-5 and produced two runs with a double.

He leads the team in batting average (.320) and has played third base since his return from injury.  He only played that position four times in 101 games before his trip to the disabled list.

Catcher Brian McCann has 17 home runs this year, best on the team.  His last one was on August 11, a two-run shot off Houston Astros’ reliever Jeff Fulchino.

Second baseman Omar Infante has an eight-game hitting streak.  He has hit .424 (14-for-33) in that span.

Pitching

The Braves’ pitching staff is one of the best in the National League.  They are tied for second with the St. Louis Cardinals for the best team ERA (3.42).  They also rank second in hits allowed (969) and in WHIP (1.25).

The Cubs are lucky to be avoiding the two aces in the Braves rotation.  They will not have to deal with Tim Hudson (14-5, 2.15) and Derek Lowe (11-11, 4.32) this weekend.

Friday’s starter will be right-hander Jair Jurrjens.  This is his fourth year in the Major Leagues.  He has been limited to 14 starts this year because of injury and was idle in the whole month of May.  The healthy Jurrjens made 34 starts in 2009.

He has limited his opponents to one run in each of his last two starts.  In his last one he struck out seven and issued one walk in seven innings pitched for a 13-1 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Turner Field last Sunday. 

He has faced the Cubs twice in his career and has a 0-1 record and a 3.27 ERA. 

Tommy Hanson leads the Braves in strikeouts (137).  Although he has had six quality starts in his last eight outings, he does not have a win in that span.  His last victory came on July 3 against the Florida Marlins.  In between he took three losses and five no-decisions.

Hanson has had only one start in his career against the Cubs.  He lost that one on April 8, 2010.  During the game the right-hander conceded two earned runs in 5.1 innings with seven strikeouts and three walks.

Sunday’s starter Mike Minor is a rookie.  He only has had two starts in the majors this season after a recent call-up from Triple-A Gwinnett.  The 22-year-old left-hander made six starts for Gwinnett with a 4-1 record and had an ERA of 1.89.

His first Major League victory came on Tuesday against the Washington Nationals.  He completed six innings, allowing two runs and striking out five.

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On Wednesday, the Atlanta Braves completed a four-player deal with the Chicago Cubs to bring first baseman Derrek Lee to Atlanta.

Atlanta gave up three pitchers in the deal to a pitching-deficient club; two were righties, and one was a lefty.

The trade beckoned a question within the minds of the Atlanta faithful: What about Troy Glaus?

Speculation flew that Glaus was done for the season; that this knee issue of his was more serious than first reported; that Glaus, for all he had done for Atlanta, was being thrown under the bus.

Then came what I suspected all along: that the Braves were wanting Glaus to reacquaint himself with third base to give the Braves two solid hitting and fielding corner men.

With all this said, what does the trade for Derrek Lee really mean for this Atlanta Braves team striving to stay atop the National League East division? Let’s analyze, shall we?

Derrek Lee brings excellent defense to Atlanta’s infield.

Derrek Lee, a 14-year veteran of the game, has not always been known for Albert Pujols-like power, but he has swung the bat well. He has shown power and average in spurts through his career and is hitting .251 this year with 16 home runs and 56 runs batted in.

My projection is that Lee will finish with about 25 homers and 75 or so runs batted in this year.

He had a career year in 2005, bopping 46 homers, driving in 107 runs, and hitting an astounding .335. The next season, 2006, he injured his wrist and was limited to only 175 at-bats, in which he still was able to muster eight homers, 30 RBI, and a .286 average. He hit well last season, hitting 30 HRs, putting up 111 RBI, and hitting .306.

This season, however, has been a season of issues for all the Cubbies. Yet to make my point, what has never been an issue for Lee was his defense. A three-time Gold Glove Award winner (2003, 2005, 2007), Lee has 89 career errors and boasts a career .994 fielding percentage. Nice, if you ask me.

I compare him to a good-hitting Doug Mientkiewicz, who only had 30 errors his entire 12-year career and holds an impressive .996 career fielding percentage. Only two-thousandths of a percent better than Derrek Lee? Yes.

To make a point about defense, it was defense that won Boston their championship. They had a few select good power hitters, but it was the defense of guys like Mientkiewicz who solidified the championship (and, in fact, made the last out…and then kept the ball and enraged Red Sox Nation).

As the old mantra goes, offense wins games, but defense wins championships. I guess it doesn’t just apply to football, does it?

Derrek Lee adds a great clubhouse veteran presence.

Lee has consistently been lauded as a unifying presence, one that held the bits and pieces of a shaken and shattered Cubs clubhouse over the past few years. Honestly, if it hadn’t been for Lee in the Cubs clubhouse, I doubt the Cubs would have gotten as far as they have over the years.

When you have such polarizing clubhouse influences as Carlos Zambrano, Alfonso Soriano, Milton Bradley, and the like, you are going to have choppy waters. Derrek Lee was oftentimes the team lifeguard, pulling good players out of choppy situations. Lee is gone, and the Cubs locker room will suffer. Who are your leaders now? Ryan Dempster? Aramis Ramirez?

Look, for all the Cubs’ good spots, and their bad, Lee was one of the best. I think Jim Hendry realized that the Cubs were the Titanic of the baseball world and that he needed to get the good people off before the ship ran afoul on the iceberg known as reality. Derrek Lee was one, as were Ted Lilly, Mike Fontenot, and Ryan Theriot.

Hendry realizes there is nowhere to go but down from this situation, and he is ready to bring her on down, restock, refuel, and try it again. You will see a new Cubs club next year if the front office actually cares about winning the World Series for the first time since Teddy Roosevelt was in the White House. If not, expect the Cubs to look like the 1980s Braves before it’s all said and done.

Derrek Lee Can Hit.

As I mentioned before, D-Lee has had good and great seasons throughout his career. When he’s been healthy, he has hit no fewer than 20 home runs since 2000, when he was with the Marlins. He even won a ring in 2003 with the Marlins and had a Gold Glove to boot.

But the thing is that he can hit, and hit well. He has a career .289 average, 309 career HRs, and is five RBI short of 1,000 for his career. Projecting that he finishes 2010 with 25 homers and 75 RBI, that would put his career numbers at 318 HR and 1,114 RBI. That would mean he averages 22 HR a year and 80 RBI a year.

If he finishes with an average of .275 on the year, meaning he would have to get 55 hits in 164 more at-bats (figuring around 582 more AB on the season with 41 games remaining and four AB per game), or pretty much go 1-for-4 every game, it would put his average at .283 per year.

An average of .283, 22 HR, and 80 RBI per year are decent numbers. Those numbers plus a fielding percentage of .994 means one heck of a first baseman, provided he stays healthy. He is 34, so he should have another three years or so left in the tank. 

Derrek Lee isn’t a money-hungry player.

Derrek Lee is at the end of a five-year, $65 million contract. He made $13 million a year for those five years and probably knows that he won’t be making that much when he hits the free agent market. The Braves are looking at dumping about $20 million next year from their books, which is plenty of money to re-sign Derrek Lee.

My thought is that Lee will probably get anywhere from $8-10 million a year on his next contract, and given that he is 34, it will probably be a three to four-year deal, so you are looking at maybe a three-year, $28 million deal this offseason, or, at the max, a four-year, $38 million deal.

With the Braves paying him $10 million a year, that still leaves the Braves with plenty of money. Even Liberty Media can be happy with that (the cheapskates!).

So, give props to Frank Wren on a good trade for a good player. I can’t wait to see Derrek Lee in Braves garb. I want to see Lee, Rick Ankiel, Glaus, Chipper Jones, and Eric O’Flaherty back next year, along with Brooks Conrad, Martin Prado, Omar Infante, Brent Clevlen, and David Ross. We have a good thing going with all these young guys who perform well and get paid decently, but not exorbitantly.

Good job, Frank Wren, and welcome to the club, D-Lee!

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In a move that was slightly surprising, Derrek Lee was traded to the Braves on Wednesday.

It wasn’t really a surprise that the Cubs wanted to trade him. After all, they did try to make a swap with the Angels involving the veteran first baseman not too long ago.

And it wasn’t a shock that someone would want the former triple crown candidate. Not only has Derrek Lee put together some very good seasons in his career (not the least of which came just last season), but he’s a great clubhouse presence that will serve a contending team such as the Braves well as they try to make a run at the World Series.

What was unexpected, to a certain extent, was that the 34-year-old would waive his no-trade clause after refusing the earlier trade to the much-closer-to-home Angels. Lee’s explanation was simple enough, though:

“It just felt right,” Lee said. “The main thing is we have six weeks to go and Atlanta is in first place and they’re playing great baseball. I understand what Jim’s trying to do here, so it just felt right.

“The chance to go to the postseason, it’s hard to pass up,” said Lee, who already has a World Series ring from the 2003 Marlins. “[The Braves] have a great organization, and I’ve always respected Bobby [Cox]. The timing [with the Angels deal], it just didn’t seem right then. The Angels were close but not right there. Moving your family for that period of time — this time, it seemed right.”

So, with Lee’s consent, he was sent to the National League East leading Braves in a familiar looking exchange. Stop me if you’ve heard this before.

A 34-year-old veteran position player with an expiring contract is sent packing for a package of three minor league pitchers: a 19-year-old starter and two relievers in their early twenties.

This time around it was Lee to the Braves for Robinson Lopez, Jeff Lorick, and Tyrelle Harris. In December of 2008 it was Mark DeRosa to the Indians for Chris Archer, Jeff Stevens, and John Gaub.

Considering that Archer is now tearing it up for Double-A Tennessee, and both Stevens and Gaub were contending for major league roster spots coming into spring training, you can’t blame the Cubs for going back to the same formula. Cubs fans can only hope that this trade proves to be at least that fruitful.

Another surprise came in a corresponding roster move.

While it was originally thought that Micah Hoffpauir would get called up to take Lee’s spot on the 25-man roster (the 30-year-old was already on his way to the airport), that transaction couldn’t be completed. Hoffpauir had yet to spend the required ten days in the minor leagues since being optioned to Triple-A Iowa last Friday.

In his stead will be outfielder Sam Fuld. If nothing else, Fuld should provide good defense, a patient eye at the plate, and a base-stealing threat for a team that, at times, has been lacking in each of those areas.

Just as Hoffpauir was getting his chance to prove that he’s deserving of a roster spot for 2011 when he filled in for Lee last week, Fuld is probably getting his chance to prove that he can stay on the North Side as a backup outfielder.

Recent news out of Chicago may mean a bigger role could be available for the 28-year-old, though.

Although Xavier Nady and Jeff Baker will be filling in at first base for the time being, and Micah Hoffpauir or Bryan LaHair could do the same if they get recalled later this year, Tyler Colvin has begun taking grounders at first base.

It might just end up being a short-term move to give the team more options at the position. After all, the 24-year-old outfielder hasn’t played the position since doing it part-time as a sophomore at Clemson University. But in an organization that doesn’t have any (somewhat) immediate first base options under the age of 27, the idea of sticking the young left-handed slugger at the position is an intriguing possibility.

At the very least it would make Colvin as versatile as a left-handed player can become defensively. If he can start at the position next season, however, then the team wouldn’t have to sign a high-priced free agent this offseason or shift the problem to third base by moving Aramis Ramirez across the diamond.

If he truly shines at first base, it could keep the organization from worrying about the position for many years to come and allow outfield prospects to get more playing time and get it sooner.

That’s where Fuld might benefit. Why?

Well, the Cubs starting outfield next year will almost certainly include Alfonso Soriano and Marlon Byrd, but the third spot (assuming, for the sake of argument, that Colvin is at first base) is not quite solidified. Nady might not be re-signed, Kosuke Fukudome might be traded, and Brett Jackson probably won’t be ready just yet.

That situation would leave roster spots open for three outfielders (one starter and two backups). The way I see it, Fuld and Snyder will get two of those spots unless they prove themselves undeserving.

Then, if one of them will be starting, Fuld might have the advantage.

That might seem counter intuitive since Snyder is having such a good offensive year in Triple-A this season, but he offers something Snyder doesn’t.

With Colvin, Ramirez, Byrd, and Soriano likely forming the heart of the order, Castro likely staying in the two-hole, and Geovany Soto not being much of an option to leadoff, the team would be looking for that role to be filled by their second baseman or remaining outfielder.

The Cubs have been looking for someone to fill that role for quite some time now and nothing says “leadoff hitter” like a contact hitter who draws a good amount of walks, doesn’t strike out a whole lot, and can steal his share of bases.

Fuld fits that mold better than Blake DeWitt, Darwin Barney, or Snyder. He probably fits it better than anyone the Cubs might acquire, too.

So, in a matter of only a few days, the look of this ballclub may have changed dramatically going forward. And it’s all because of one measly trade.

How can you not love this game?

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Late last month, in Cooperstown, New York, Andre Dawson was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as a Montreal Expo. This was much to Andre’s chagrin, as he’d hoped to go into the Hall of Fame as a Chicago Cub.

You see, Andre spent 11 of his 21 seasons playing for the Expos. He won the Rookie of the Year for the team in 1977, and won six of his eight Gold Gloves in Montreal. Most of his best years and his career stats were accumulated in Montreal.

Nevertheless, as Andre told us on that beautiful day last month, it was the Chicago Cubs fans who reminded him why he loved to play the game of baseball. Andre said that playing in front of the Cubs fans was an experience he’d never forget, and that the people of Chicago truly reminded him that, as Andre said it best, “if you love this game, it will love you back.”

Derrek Lee is no longer a Chicago Cubs today; the newest former Cubs star has been traded to the Atlanta Braves for what Cubs fans hope will be the Cubs stars of tomorrow.

In the ironies of ironies, the Braves will be playing at the Cubs this weekend. You can bet that when Lee steps to the plate, he will be showered with the adoration that Cubs fans heap upon their adopted sons, the players who didn’t necessarily get their start in Chicago but who showed the Cubs a good time, and to whom the Cubs are forever grateful.

Here’s a look at the top ten adopted sons (i.e., players who didn’t start their career in Chicago) in Chicago Cubs history.

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According to David Kaplan  of CSNChicago.com, the Cubs are close to completing a trade that will send first baseman Derrek Lee to the Atlanta Braves in what is being described as a “salary dump.”

That would imply that the Cubs would receive only salary relief, and not players, in return for Lee, who would have to approve the trade.

Sources close to Kaplan say that unlike the proposed trade to the Angels which Lee declined, he would be open to going to Atlanta. It would give Lee a chance to participate in a pennant race and get away from the putrid stench of the Cubs’ season.

Lee is eligible to declare free agency following this season and is not likely to return given his age, lack of production and the Cubs’ payroll woes.

The Cubs would be saving the $3.4 million they owe on his remaining contract while the Braves would be obtaining a player who has started to hit for some power recently. Lee left the game the other day with back stiffness after hitting home runs in his first two at-bats.

This deal would be surprising because the Braves are said to be looking at third basemen to replace Chipper Jones, who is out for the season. In fact, a rumor yesterday was squashed that would have sent Aramis Ramirez to Atlanta.

The Braves already have Troy Glaus to play first base, but perhaps they are looking at Lee’s defense and playoff experience as a positive factor.

If D-Lee leaves the Cubs, it wouldn’t be a surprise, though the Braves seem like an odd match.

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Sure, it’s Lee’s right to decline any trade, something the man has earned through his  “10 & 5” rights, not to mention his no-trade clause.

However, if Lee was thinking about anyone other than himself, he would acquiesce and go to the Dodgers for another chance at the playoffs, while giving the Cubs an opportunity to land a prospect and secure some salary relief.

But no, it seems that D-Lee either doesn’t want the pressure of being in a pennant race as the new face on a winning team, or he just wants to stick it to the Cubs.

Either way, it’s a selfish move that greatly diminishes his credibility.

Now, if you think this is a sign of loyalty, think again. Being loyal would mean trying to help the team. Plus, just how loyal do you think he will be as a free agent?

Look, Lee is lucky anybody wants him with the kind of season he is having. Meanwhile, this is the second year out of the past three that Lee has stunk up the joint.

I tell you, if I was Jim Hendry, I’d sit him down and tell him to his face that if he wants to stay, fine, but he’ll be sitting on the bench while Tyler Colvin learns the position.

I wonder if that would make Lee change his mind?

Either way, it’s not just petty resentment that I am proposing; rather, it is a move that makes sense since Lee is not likely to return and the Cubs do need to find out what their options are.

Colvin should be someone they look at to replace Lee as the next Cubs first baseman, barring a trade. They have no one at the minor league level ready to take over, and Colvin has the kind of power you want at that position.

But we don’t know if he can play first base, which is why he should get the opportunity now, while the Cubs continue to sink anyway, giving Hendry a more informed opinion as he builds next year’s team.

But Hendry doens’t have the backbone to stand up to Lee this way, so he’ll probably continue to play every day and bat third in the lineup while walking away at the end of the season.

Again, it’s his right. But the Cubs should exercise their rights as well.

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With Lou Pinella announcing he will retire at the end of the Chicago Cubs season, all I hear is conjecture regarding who people think will be the Cubs’ next manager.

There are multiple candidates, but for now, it’s all speculation, and that’s all it’s going to be until it actually happens.

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The All-Star break is fast approaching and it is safe to say that the Cubs should be sellers at this season’s trade deadline.

In my opinion, it’s time for a good old fashioned fire sale.

The Cubs have a very strong minor league system, and it could be made even stronger if they were to clean house and deal anyone of any value not named Colvin, Cashner, or Castro.

So if we are in fact in full scale fire sale mode, here are the six Cubs that have the most value on the trade market, and should be dealt before the deadline hits.

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