According to multiple reports, the Cubs traded Derrek Lee to the Atlanta Braves for three pitching prospects. The Cubs also sent cash to the Braves in the deal.
The Cubs will receive right-handed pitchers Robinson Lopez and Tyrelle Harris and left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Lorick.
Updated – 5:11pm CDT – According to the Sun-Times, the Cubs sent $1.7 million to the Braves (Lee is owed $3.4 million for remainder of this season) in the deal. Micah Hoffpauir was recalled from Triple-A Iowa to take Lee’s spot on the active roster. Lee will be in uniform for the Braves on Friday at Wrigley.
Updated – 8:47pm CDT with Info on the Three Minor League Pitchers Updated – 5:31pm CDT
Derrek Lee
“A chance to go to the postseason, it’s hard to pass up.”
Addressing the “so-called curse” affecting the Cubs, Lee said, “Having to hear about losing kind of puts you in a negative environment.”
Lee was asked Saturday about his decision to reject a trade to the Los Angeles Angels in the final week of July. “First of all, when I made the decision, we weren’t playing this bad,” he told the Tribune. “I think I just separate it. I don’t look at it like, ‘Oh, I made the decision to stay, I wish I hadn’t.’ I made the decision, and that’s over with, and this is something else.”
Jim Hendry
“Most people should be excited in the way we’re moving forward,” Cubs general manager Jim Hendry said of the Cubs’ sell-off of veteran players.
Updated 8:47pm CDT
Robinson Lopez – RHP
Baseball America ranked Lopez the 16th best prospect in the Braves’ system prior to the 2010 season. Lopez is a 19-year old right-hander (March 2, 1991) and was described as “may be the biggest sleeper” the Braves system.
Lopez’s fastball touches 94, consistently in low 90s. He throws an above average curveball and an average changeup.
Lopez posted a 3-8 record in 24 games, 16 starts, in Class-A this season with a 4.37 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP … 70 strikeouts and 43 walks in 92 2/3 innings
Robinson Lopez’s Page on Baseball America
Tyrelle Harris – RHP
According to Bruce Levine, Harris will report to Double-A Tennessee and pitch out of Bill Dancy’s bullpen. Harris, a 23-year old right-hander, was the Braves 19th round pick in the 2009 draft. He did not have a record in four games, one start, with the Mississippi Braves (Double-A). Harris walked six and struck out 11 in 12 1/3 innings with 1.46 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP.
Harris was 1-2 in 17 games with a 3.71 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP in High Class-A before his promotion. Harris began the year in low A ball.
Tyrelle Harris’ Page on Baseball Reference
Jeffrey Lorick
The Braves took Lorick in the 20th round of the 2009 draft. The 22-year old southpaw (December 18, 1987) was recently promoted to High Class-A ball and pitched in just one game.
In 26 games (four starts) in Low Class-A, Lorick was 3-6 with a 2.32 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP.