Carlos Lee, OF, Texas Rangers

July 29, 2006 @ 16:00:00

By Joshua Ellis
Edited by Ryan Dodson

Although hitting didn't seem like that much of a need for the Texas Rangers, they still pulled off a big trade as they acquired outfielder Carlos Lee and prospect outfielder Nelson Cruz from the Milwaukee Brewers for reliever Francisco Cordero, outfielders Kevin Mench and Laynce Nix and minor league left-handed pitcher Julian Cordero. 

Obviously the biggest name in this trade is two-time National League All-Star Carlos Lee. Lee was signed by the Chicago White Sox as an undrafted free agent in 1994. After spending five years in the minor leagues, Lee joined the major league club in 1999 where he was an instant success. Lee hit a home run in his first career at-bat, proving he was on his way to becoming a star. He spent the next five years belting home runs at a high rate before he was shipped to the Brewers in the 2004 offseason for outfielder Scott Podsednik and pitcher Luis Vizcaino. Since that trade, Lee has been ripping up National League pitching on his way to consecutive All-Star appearances in 2005 and 2006. 

Table: New Rangers players - 2006 Stats

Name	AB	Hits	HR	Runs	RBI	SB	AVG.
Carlos Lee-MLB	392	113	28	60	81	12	0.288
Nelson Cruz-AAA	364	110	19	67	72	17	0.302

Table: New Brewers players - 2006 Stats

Name	AB	Hits	HR	Runs	RBI	SB	AVG.
Laynce Nix-MLB	32	3	0	1	4	0	0.094
Laynce Nix-AAA	277	71	10	36	50	3	0.256
Kevin Mench-MLB	320	91	12	36	50	1	0.284

Table: New Brewers players - 2006 Stats

Name	Wins	Losses	ERA	Saves	IP	WHIP	K/9
Francisco Cordero-MLB	7	4	4.71	6	49.2	1.31	10
Julian Cordero-A	2	4	2.63	0	65	1.28	6.65

This trade should boost Lee's fantasy value. He is moving from the National League's Brewers back to the American League with the Rangers where he was successful early in his career with the White Sox. The trade puts him in a lineup that is seventh overall in batting average and 11th in runs, while the Brewers were just 23rd in batting average and 21st in runs scored. This should boost Lee's RBI and run totals because he is entering a more potent lineup where he will bat around exceptional hitters like first baseman Mark Teixeira, shortstop Michael Young and third baseman Hank Blalock. All of these players should see a boost in 5x5 fantasy stats as well, with Lee in the lineup to knock runners in and to scare opposing pitchers. Lee could also see a rise in his home run numbers. 

Ameriquest Field in Arlington is well known as a hitters' ballpark. Although the stadium is yielding an average number of home runs this season, in past seasons as the summer heats up, the more hitter friendly the park will get. Another possible positive is that Lee will be getting time as a DH for the Rangers. In his career, Lee has had 184 at-bats as a DH and 4,125 at-bats as a left fielder. For what it's worth, in the small sample size of at-bats as a DH, Lee is hitting nine points higher than when he plays the outfield. Lee has appeared in one game so far as a DH where he hit in the No. 4 spot and went 2-for-4.

This trade has minimal downside on Lee's fantasy value. Since the Rangers are a better hitting team than the Brewers, Lee won't steal as many bases as he would if he hadn't been traded.

Overall, if you are in an AL-only league, hurry up and jump on Lee's waiver claim and hope you get him. Otherwise, owners of Lee in mixed-leagues should feel good about this trade and expect the fantasy numbers of Lee and his new Rangers teammates to receive a slight boost while the opposite will occur for members of the Brewers with the big bat vacating their lineup.

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Joshua Ellis
Joshua has been a KFFL contributor since 2006.

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