Cubs’ slugger rejects deal to Angels

By Bud L. Ellis

Seeking to add a power bat to jump start the offense, the Los Angeles Angels set their sights on Chicago Cubs’ slugger Derrek Lee.

The deal made all the sense in the world. The Cubs are 10 games under .500 while the Angels, who just traded for pitcher Dan Haren, are at .500 and trying to run down Texas in the AL West. And Lee is building a house in Southern California.

But the veteran invoked his 10-years in the majors, 5-years with the same team clause and rejected the deal on Wednesday.

Lee, who is hitting .248 with 11 home runs and 44 RBIs, would have given the Angels a big boost at first base. Los Angeles lost Kendry Morales back in May when Morales broke his leg during a celebration following a walkoff grand slam.

The Angels are in third place in the West, 8 ½ games behind Texas and one game behind second-place Oakland. Baseball’s trade deadline is 4 p.m. Saturday.

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Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 4:12 am by bud

Tags: Chicago Cubs, Dan Haren, Derrek Lee, Kendry Morales, los angeles angels news, los angeles angels schedule, los angeles angels tickets, Oakland A’s, Texas Rangers