D-Lee Nixes Trade To Anaheim

The major league baseball trade deadline looms this weekend and there's sure to be some wheeling and dealing here in Chicago. The White Sox, having leaped to the top of the AL Central, are suddenly buyers while the Cubs are looking like big sellers as they head into 2011 in which they'll hope to start with a new, younger roster and a new manager. Rumors are swirling that Ted Lilly might have pitched his last game as a Cub last night. But one Cub who doesn't appear to be going anywhere is Derrek Lee. The 34-year-old first baseman invoked his rights as a 10-and-5 player (10 years in the league, five with the same team) to nix the trade; Lee also has a no-trade clause in his contract.

Not that we should feel sorry for the Angels after they swindled the Diamondbacks with that Dan Haren trade, but we digress. In turning down the trade, Lee indicated he wants to play out the season with the Cubs which will surely disappoint Jim Hendry who's probably been dreaming of ways to screw up that potential trade. Lee, who's battled through injuries in his Cubs tenure, is having his worst season with the team thus far (.249/11/44). It's unlikely, as of now, that Lee would remain a Cub after this season. If you're curious for more trade speculation outside the usual big stops, we recommend Bleed Cubbie Blue and the folks at SB Nation Chicago.