There are surely some parallels or clever scripts or something like that here, but I’m not sure I’m able to make them. I’ll try.
It looks like the Baltimore Orioles are about to trade first baseman Derrek Lee (former Cub, traded last year in August after previously refusing to accept a trade) to the Pittsburgh Pirates (a team that had inquired about the availability of current Cub first baseman Carlos Pena, but was refused) for an A-ball outfielder, according to the Baltimore Sun. The Orioles are going to include about $4ook to help cover the remainder of Lee’s 2011 salary.
Lee, a free agent after the season, has fallen off quite a bit this year. He’s hitting just .248/.306/.409, which is his worst line since he was a 21-year-old rookie. Lee turns 36 in a month, and, in the post-steroid era, this is what tends to happen to players as they turn 34/35/36. Take note.
As for Pena, the door was almost completely closed on a deadline deal as it was, but with the Pirates out, only the Diamondbacks remain as a previously-discussed landing spot. And that’s looking like the longest of long shots.
An August deal, after Pena clears waivers, remains possible.