Derrek

Lee

Lee currently owns the active streak for consecutive games played among National Leaguers (227), but he’s likely to miss a game or two to be with his wife once she goes into labor.

The Diamondbacks are believed to be offering Junior Spivey, John Patterson, Andrew Good and Chris Capuano. No word yet what the Orioles have proposed. Perhaps one or both of the pitching prospects the team got from the Marlins for Jeff Conine (Denny Bautista and Don Levinski) could be on their way back to Florida. The Orioles talked to the Brewers about Richie Sexson earlier this week, but since nothing happened there, they opted to focus on the Lee, who is one year away from free agency.

Lee is eligible for free agency after next season and the Orioles want to sign him before trading for him, even though, according to the Baltimore Sun, they’d only be giving up lower-level prospects in the deal. It still appears possible that something could happen, but the Orioles may now choose to focus on Richie Sexson.

The team will continue its attempts to sign him to a long-term deal after working out a one-year contract. Lee is eligible for free agency after the season.

Lee could require a few more games on the sidelines. Brian Banks has hit in three straight while filling in for Lee, who did not swing a bat Sunday but will hit off a tee today.

Lee figures to get a deal worth close to $8 million per season. It’s unclear whether or not there will be an option for a fourth year tacked on.

A partially-dislocated shoulder joint kept Lee out of the lineup for the first time since Aug. 10, 2001.

Lee is expected to return to the lineup Friday.

He had to get his OPS back over 1100. Yesterday was the first day since May 26 that he had fallen below that mark. He entered today hitting .259/.344/.500 with six homers and 12 RBI in 27 games since the All-Star break. Those are fine numbers for most, but the Cubs need Lee to keep producing like a superstar if they’re going to have any chance at all.

Lee will visit a doctor on Thursday to have the wrist reexamined. The Cubs are being extra cautious with Lee so that the wrist injury doesn’t bother him in 2007. His value to fantasy owners the remainder of this season is looking less and less.