Pittsburgh Pirates To Acquire Derrek Lee

Derrek Lee hasn't hit all that much this season, but that hasn't stopped the Pittsburgh Pirates from acquiring the veteran first baseman from Baltimore. According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles have traded Lee to the Pirates in exchange for 23-year-old first baseman Aaron Baker.

Lee, 35, has hit just .248/.306/.409 in 360 plate appearances with the Orioles this season, but he's still a good fielder at first base and he's considered an extremely positive clubhouse presence. For a young team like the Pirates, that leadership is likely considered a major point in favor of Lee. It also helps that he's looked much better of late; since June 17, Lee's posted a .294/.331/.538 line in 151 plate appearances.

Baker, Pittsburgh's 11th-round pick in 2009, is currently the starting first baseman for Advanced Single-A Bradenton, where he's hit .285/.353/.474 in 102 games this season. He isn't considered a major prospect, but he does give the Orioles another lottery ticket as they search for a long-term first baseman.