Aaron Baker Traded to Orioles for Lee

PITTSBURGH, PA - (Pirates Release) The Pittsburgh Pirates have acquired first baseman Derrek Lee from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for minor league infielder Aaron Baker. The announcement was made by Pirates Senior Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington.

Lee, 35, hit .246 (82-for-334) with 15 doubles, 12 home runs and 41 RBI in 85 games with Baltimore this season after signing with the Orioles as a free agent on January 6, 2011. In 15 games since the All-Star break, he has gone 17-for-57 (.298) with three home runs and 13 RBI.

"We are pleased to add a quality veteran player like Derrek Lee to our ballclub," said Huntington. "He is an experienced, productive right-handed hitter and solid defender who should add to our team on the field and in the clubhouse."

Now in his 15th big league season, Lee has compiled a .281 batting average, 430 doubles, 29 triples, 324 home runs and 1060 RBI in 1914 career games. He made his Major League debut with the San Diego Padres in 1997 and has also seen big league action with the Marlins (1998-2003), Cubs (2004- 2010) and Braves (2010). A two-time National League All-Star (2005 and 2007), Lee also captured three Gold Glove Awards (2003, 2005, 2007) during his time in the N.L.

The 23-year-old Baker hit .282 (109-for-386) with 21 doubles, 15 home runs and 73 RBI in 103 games with Class-A Bradenton this season. The left-handed hitter was Pittsburgh's 11th-round selection in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Pirates have transferred catcher Ryan Doumit to the 60-day disabled list (was eligible to come off the D.L. on July 29).

The Pirates will make a corresponding move to their active roster once Lee officially reports.

-Marauders-