Greg Fiume - Getty Images
In addition to some good hitting, Derrek Lee brought his solid defense and smooth modern dance moves to the Braves.
When the Braves acquired Derrek Lee on August 18th, most people considered it to be an act of desperation for a team that was fading in the standings and whose first baseman was in need of a DL trip. Lee did not seem like much of a solution. Sure, he had a good track record, but his 2010 season had been a bust. He hit only .251 / .335 / .416 for the Cubs and was bothered by injuries to his thumb and back.
Indeed, Lee's Braves career did not exactly get off to an auspicious start. He was already hurt at the time of the trade, and in his first 8 games hit just .138 / .242 / .241. In other words, it felt like Troy Glaus was still playing first base. Though the Braves went only 3-5 in this stretch, they maintained their division lead.
Lee turned his season around starting August 30th. From then until the end of the season, he would hit .330 / .424 / .530, serving as basically the Braves' only consistent offensive threat during September. Sure, the Braves lost their division lead in that time (and nearly the Wild Card, too), but you can't blame that on Lee.
It is not at all a stretch to say that trading for Derrek Lee made the difference between the Braves making the playoffs and missing them. If you like WAR, both FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference agree that Lee was worth 0.8 WAR during his tenure in Atlanta. Since the Braves made the playoffs by the slimmest of margins, that 0.8 WAR likely turned out to be crucial.
If you don't like WAR, let me just point you to Lee's signature Braves moment: on September 19th against the Mets, Lee hit a grand slam in the 7th inning to break a 2-2 tie. The Braves went on to win 6-3 (Lee also doubled and scored the Braves' second run). Without Lee, the Braves most likely lose that game, and quite possibly miss the playoffs.
In the playoffs, Lee's bat (like most of the other Braves') went quiet. He managed only 2 singles and a walk in 17 PAs against the fierce San Francisco pitching staff.
Lee is now a free agent, and with Freddie Freeman waiting in the wings, Lee's time with the Braves is almost certainly over (though I would not be against re-signing him to a 1-year deal). Despite his playoff flameout, Lee did about all that could be expected of him: hit well, play good defense, and help the team make the playoffs. He did it all while playing hurt, too.
Whether that is worth what we gave up for him (Robinson Lopez and two other prospects) is up for debate, of course--and that debate won't really be settled for years to come. Regardless of how those prospects turn out, we should remember that Lee helped give Bobby Cox the ending he deserved: one last playoff berth. I'm not sure that anyone can put a price on that.
0 recs | 19 comments
Nice write up.
I think that Lee played well for us. I, too, would not be opposed to signing Lee to a 1-year contract, I just wonder if he’d be willing to take a back-up role to Freeman.
Jman781 - November 11, 2010
You want to pay between $10 million (best case scenario) and $15 million (worst case scenario) for a guy to be a backup? You do realize that the owners have the team on a hard budget and this is not the New York Yankees, right?
Zontar - November 11, 2010
$10-15M
would be an arbitration figure.
No way he makes that much by simply re-signing, or through the free agent market.
-C
cthabeerman - November 11, 2010
I'm sure that if he's re-signed to a one year deal, Freeman would be his backup
….which I wouldn’t be totally opposed to. If Lee goes down with an injury, he’ll be replaced by Freeman.
It’s highly unlikely that he accepts a one-year deal with his track record though. However, the market for 1st baseman is loaded this year, so it could be wise for him to wait on his free agency, even though he’ll be another year older.
Undocorkscrew - November 11, 2010
You’d have to give Freeman a shot at playing LF though. He probably can’t do it well, but if he’s at least Klesko-esque, it’s worth it. (assuming a re-sign of Lee)
With leads, pull Lee, put Freeman at 1B, and Matt Young in Left.
Broccoman - November 11, 2010
Perfectly put, Ben.
Without DLee, we don’t make the playoffs for Bobby. That couldn’t happen in his final season.
And even if Lopez turns out to be good in 2013 or so, who really cares? I know there will be the folks who call it a stupid trade, but DLee basically carried the team into the playoffs (along with the pitching.) As you said, you simply cannot put a price on that.
Scott Coleman - November 11, 2010 via mobile
Jacob! Not Ben.
That’s what I get for posting from my phone.
Scott Coleman - November 11, 2010 via mobile
P.S.
How are things with the wife and new place?
Scott Coleman - November 11, 2010 via mobile
Haha.
Admirable save. Rec’d.
djvog - November 11, 2010 via mobile
Braves Should Sign Derrek Lee for 2 years
Freddie Freeman hit .167 and looked clueless when he was called up in September. He was completely over matched by major league pitching and needs at least one more year at AAA Gwinnett.
Derrek Lee is a stellar defensive first baseman and his ability to snag errant throws instantly improves the error ratio of the other Braves infielders whose defensive capabilities are marginal at best. Lee is a consummate professional on and off the field, a positive locker room influence, and is willing to play hurt. He would be a valuable free agent signing even if his second year were in a reduced, part-time roll.
The Braves need Derrek Lee AND Carl Crawford. Other than Jason Heyward, the Braves’ outfield is dismal. If Carl Crawford were a Brave, the team could afford to keep weak hitting McLouth, a defensive standout, and hope that his offensive production will improve to former levels. An outfield of Crawford, McLouth and Heyward might be the majors’ best defensive trio.
SBFalcon101 - November 11, 2010
I really hope you are kidding.
Haha. Joke’s over. Let’s move on.
djvog - November 11, 2010
i think he was kidding
but crawford mclouth and heyward would be the best defensive trio haha
willlinn - November 11, 2010
Great Post
Right on with your opinion about D Lee. I would not be opposed to bringing him back one more year. Yes Freeman is stud, however, D Lee has proven himself as a defensive and offense gem. And for a team with nothing short of terrible defensive skills, having a defensive player like Lee at first with Freeman available to spell him from time to time, seems like a no brainer to me.
Kushagi - November 11, 2010
i simply do not agree with this line of thought.
Freeman peaked in the minors last year, international league rookie of the year, you dont mess with momentum
willlinn - November 11, 2010
The more I think about it
The more I think we should offer Lee arbitration. I think he could really produce for us next season to give Freeman another year in the wings (he’s only 21) and worst case scenario, he declines and we pick up the two draft picks.
kauf67 - November 11, 2010
Worst-case...
Is an injury-plagued year for $10-15M we don’t have to spend on him with our other holes still gaping.
-C
cthabeerman - November 11, 2010
I'd like to hear
Of a better right handed power bat we can pay ~$10M for one year. As for this “injury plagued year”, he’s had 600+ PAs in 9 of the last 10 seasons and played extremely well for us down the stretch battling a torn thumb ligament.
kauf67 - November 12, 2010
The question is would that bat make up for terrible holes in left and center. We have an adequare fill-in in Freddie. Unless we can get Freddie playing left (and I think that’s possible), we’re stucking with Ankiel/Tony Gwynn Jr/McLousy or worse in CF.
Broccoman - November 12, 2010
No way Lee gets ARB
One we were burnt a year ago with giving ARB to Soriano and had to scramble to then trade him at the Winter meetings and got J. Chavez whom is nothing more then a true bench warmer in any bullpen. Lee was a good fill in, got him for basically nothing of much value which was huge.
Lee was playing good and really cared the Braves punchless offense in the post season. It was cheaper to acquire Lee than A. Ramierz whom is in the final year of his contract as is C. Jones. Could A. Ramierz be a potiental fit in ATL after next season only time will tell.
Holty_Panthers_Fan - November 13, 2010
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