Cubs’ Derrek Lee rejected a trade to the Angels
Chicago Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee used his rights as a player with 10 years’ big league experience and five years with the same team to reject a trade to the Angels last week.
“It was very tempting,” Lee told reporters in Houston after the Cubs’ 8-1 loss to the Astros on Wednesday. “I didn’t just say no right away. A lot of thought goes into it.”
According to a major league source, Lee vetoed the trade seven to 10 days ago. The Angels then turned their sights to Kansas City, acquiring Royals third baseman Alberto Callespo for two minor league pitchers on July 22.
Lee, 34, called the process “agonizing” and said he spoke to several friends on the Angels before making the decision.
Though he is building a house in Southern California, Lee decided that “for me and my family, the best thing to do is to stay here.” He added that he and Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry “had good conversations about it. He’s been great about it.”
Lee, in the final year of a five-year, $65-million contract, has played through chronic neck and back problems this season, batting .249 with 11 home runs and 44 runs batted in. He is a lifetime .282 hitter with 304 homers and 983 RBIs.
The Angels have been searching for a bat to replace first baseman Kendry Morales, who suffered a season-ending leg injury in late May.
Lee, who has also been linked in rumors to the Texas Rangers, said he doesn’t expect to approve any deals because the opportunity with the Angels “probably was as good for me as anything could be.”
Rest for the weary
Serving as unofficial host and Angels goodwill ambassador for the July 13 All-Star game in Anaheim and trying to carry a struggling team for two weeks has taken a toll on Torii Hunter.
The slumping center fielder, saying he was “more mentally than physically tired,” sat out Wednesday’s 7-3 loss to the Red Sox, only the sixth game Hunter has missed this season.
“When you’re mentally tired, you try to get a little more oomph,” said Hunter, who is batting .208 (10 for 48) with one home run and two runs batted in since the All-Star break. “Then you start jumping at the ball, and everything goes to hell.”
Manager Mike Scioscia took advantage of Thursday’s day off to give Hunter two full days’ rest before a three-game series against first-place Texas beginning Friday.
“He has to re-charge,” Scioscia said. “If some slumps are caused by fatigue, you have to address that.”
Whether mental or physical, Scioscia is certain fatigue has slowed Hunter.
“It’s not just all the All-Star hoopla,” Scioscia said. “Playing a demanding position such as center field and batting cleanup is a tall order. Sometimes you have to freshen up.”
Haren good to go
Newly acquired right-hander Dan Haren, who was knocked out of his Angels’ debut by a fifth-inning line drive Monday night, threw 30 to 35 pitches in the bullpen Wednesday and declared himself fit for Saturday night’s start against Texas.
Haren suffered a bruise on his right forearm, but X-rays were negative. He experienced some tightness early Wednesday, but by the end of his session he felt no restrictions.
“I was a little cautious at first, but then I was able to let it go,” Haren said. “I threw all my pitches, and I only threw 62 pitches in the game [Monday], so I feel fresh.”
Short hops
Scott Kazmir, on the disabled list because of shoulder fatigue, threw 35 pitches Wednesday, the first time the left-hander has thrown off a mound since being sidelined. Kazmir said the session went “fine.”
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