Cubs Trade Choi for Lee
The Cubs today traded Hee Seop Choi and a minor leaguer to be named to the Florida Marlins for Derreck Lee. Lee, 28, has been consistently good, posting between an .875 and .888 OPS in three of the past four seasons (with an .820 OPS in 2001). Baseball Prospectus had Lee ranked as the 6th best offensive first baseman in the game this past season, in terms of Runs Above Replacement Player. I think that’s probably a little higher ranking than what we can expect out of him in the future, but he’s good.
This is a good trade for both teams. I think Choi will ultimately be better than Lee, but not for a few seasons. And Lee gives the Cubs what they desire: assurance.
Even though Lee is a good player, I really like Choi, and am sad to see him go.
UPDATE (9:45pm): Northside Lounge, Baseball Musings, Let’s Play Two, The Cub Reporter, and The Cubs Transaction Report all comment.
UPDATE II (9:50pm): So does Cub Fan Nation.
UPDATE III (11/26/2003 11:15pm): So does Forklift.