Report: Yankees Trying to Lure Derrek Lee Out of Retirement to Fill in for Mark Teixeira

by Doug Kyed on Mon, Mar 11, 2013 at 9:09AM

The Yankees don’t have many viable options to fill in for Mark Teixeira as he recovers from a strained tendon in his right wrist, so they’re turning to a player who has been retired since 2011.

The Yankees are in talks to bring Derrek Lee out of retirement, according to the New York Times. The 37-year-old was last seen playing for Pittsburgh and Baltimore two years ago.

In 2011, Lee hit .267, split between the AL and NL. He hit 19 home runs with 59 RBIs and a .771 OPS. Lee is a career .281 hitter. He has 331 career home runs in 15 seasons with an .859 OPS.

Lee’s best season came in 2005 with the Chicago Cubs. He won the NL batting title, batting .335 with 46 home runs with 107 RBIs and a 1.080 OPS. He finished third in the MVP race.

Teixeira is expected to be out two months with the injury. The Yankees could use Kevin Youkilis at first base and Eduardo Nunez at third until Teixeira comes back. Alex Rodriguez is expected back from hip surgery in July.