Since coming off the disabled list 12 games ago, first baseman Derrek Lee has been swinging a hot bat for the Pirates.
Lee has gone 18-for-45 (.400 avg) with three home runs and 11 RBI’s since August 3rd. During that time, only the Mets Jason Bay (13), the Giants Pablo Sandoval (12) and the Cubs Alfonso Soriano (12) have more RBI than Lee in the National League.
“We’d love to see him back [next year],” Manager Clint Hurdle said. “There’s a lot of intangibles that are going to go with that. I’ve had some conversations with Derrek. The one thing he’s been able to bring to our lineup that we were hoping for initially when we went out to the free agent market was a guy that could anchor the middle spot in the lineup. He’s a great defender at first base, as far as what we need; big target, big feet, soft hands…He’s got a slow heart beat. He’s got a voice of reason in the clubhouse. He’s been a really good edition.”
Lee, 36, was acquired at the trade deadline by the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for High-A first baseman Aaron Baker. The Pirates have made it known that they are interested in bringing the veteran back for the 2012 season.
“I would have like to have had him out for the entire time he’s been here,” Hurdle said. “With that being said, if you speak to him, I think he’s enjoyed his time here as well. I don’t know what the future’s going to hold but he told me last year he didn’t want to come to Pittsburgh. He’s had an awful good time in Pittsburgh this year. Those are his words.”
Photo credit: Yahoo! Sports
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