UPDATE: Dodgers engaged in talks to acquire Astros first baseman Carlos Lee
UPDATE: Do we have a case of mistaken identity? FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal says that Buster Olney has the wrong Lee included in this proposal.
Sources: #Dodgers' talks with #Astros involve Carlos Lee, not Jed Lowrie. Lee would need to approve deal. Has right to block trade to LAD.—
Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 30, 2012
Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports reports the same thing:
As @Ken_Rosenthal said, Dodgers and Astros talking deal in earnest for Carlos Lee.—
Tim Brown (@TBrownYahoo) June 30, 2012
This makes more sense if L.A. is looking for power, since Lowrie is far from a proven commodity. And it seems awfully premature for the Dodgers to be giving up on Zach Lee.
More from Brown and from Rosenthal:
As of now, P Zach Lee, Dodgers' first-rounder from '10, not part of Carlos Lee discussions….—
Tim Brown (@TBrownYahoo) June 30, 2012
Taking on #Astros' C. Lee, who is owed just under $9M for rest of season, likely would not require #Dodgers to part with major prospects.—
Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 30, 2012
Finally, here’s Olney’s response:
Dodgers asked about Lowrie,but he's now not in current talks. Source says 50-50 shot that Carlos Lee accepts a deal to L.A. for P prospects.—
Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 30, 2012
The Astros have taken trade ideas to Lee in the past, but he's always said no. HOU's leverage is that they could play others.—
Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 30, 2012
***
Buster Olney of ESPN.com sent out a series of tweets on Friday night detailing a potential deal between the Houston Astros and Los Angeles Dodgers, centering on the Dodgers’ getting shortstop Jed Lowrie and the Astros’ getting top pitching prospect Zach Lee.
Dodgers are talking to Astros about a trade that would send Jed Lowrie to the Dodgers,with minor-leaguers Zach Lee and Garrett Gould to HOU.—
Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 30, 2012
One source places odds of Lowrie/Lee Astros-Dodgers deal is about 50-50 right now.—
Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 30, 2012
Sources are saying that there could be others involved in Lowrie/Lee-Gould discussions between Dodgers and Astros.—
Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 30, 2012
Lowrie, of course, would give Dodgers options at third base and shortstop. Having a strong season, and hitting for power — which LAD needs.—
Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 30, 2012
Lowrie is having a breakout season after being acquired from the Boston Red Sox, hitting .262 with 14 home runs and 33 RBIs.
Lee was a first-round pick in 2010 who signed at the last minute for $5.25 million, forgoing the chance to play quarterback at LSU. He was recently promoted to Double-A.
