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Free agent first baseman Derek Lee is still open to the "right opportunity," reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal goes on to ask followers if the Pittsburgh Pirates would qualify as such an opportunity.
Told Derek Lee still open to "right opportunity." Would #Pirates qualify? RT Open letter from @Dejan_Kovacevic. triblive.com/sports/1925714…
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 11, 2012
Lee last appeared in the majors with the Pirates in 2011 after he was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles at the trade deadline. Lee became a free agent following the season and remains unsigned, as he has yet to officially announce his retirement.
Lee only mustered a line of .246/.302/.404 over 85 games with the Orioles before they dealt him to the Pirates. After the trade, Lee hit at a clip of .337/.398/.584 over 28 games and 101 at-bats. On the year Lee finished with a line of .267/.325/.446 with 19 home runs, 17 doubles and 59 RBIs.
The Pirates have been tied to corner infielders recently and could specifically use some help at first base, Lee’s primary position. Pirates first basemen have combined to hit at a clip of .219/.272/.321 on the year with only three home runs.