The Pittsburgh Pirates are out to prove that they're contenders this season and are buying at the trade deadline rather than selling like they usually do. The Pirates acquired first baseman Derrek Lee from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for minor league first baseman Aaron Baker, the team announced.
Lee is batting .248 with 12 home runs and 48 RBIs through 84 games this season. The 35-year-old is a two-time All-Star who could provide an offensive boost to a Pirates lineup that ranks near the bottom of the major leagues in nearly every major offensive statistical category.
Baker, drafted by the Pirates in the 11th round of the 2009 MLB June amateur draft, has hit .285 with 15 home runs and 72 RBIs in 102 games for Single-A Bradenton this season.
