Derrek Lee, a first baseman seen as a possible offensive spark, was obtained by the Atlanta Braves in a Major League Baseball trade with the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.
The Braves, at 70-49, lead the National League East division by 2 1/2 games over the two-time defending league champion Philadelphia Phillies but lost standout infielder Chipper Jones to a season-ending knee injury.
Lee, nagged by back pain in the last year of a five-season deal worth 65 million dollars, is batting .251 with 16 home runs and 56 runs batted in for the Cubs, who received three minor-league players.
Lee is not expected to join Atlanta until the team arrives in Chicago to start a three-game series against the Cubs on Friday.
Troy Glaus, the Braves' current first baseman, is hitting only .175 with two homers.
Copyright 2010 AFP American Edition
