Desperate Marlins Trade for Astros 1B Carlos Lee, Who Turned Down Dodgers Deal

The Miami Marlins may be in fourth place and will be just two games ahead of the cellar-dwelling Phillies, but they appear to be adding in hopes of turning their season around.  According to Buster Olney of ESPN, the Marlins have traded for Astros OF/1B/should-be-DH Carlos Lee.

The Marlins had such poor production from first baseman Gaby Sanchez (.194 batting average, 2 home runs, 16 RBI)  that they sent him to the minors.  Left fielder Logan Morrison spent a lot of time playing first base since the demotion and is likely to turn to left field with Lee taking over first base.

Just days ago Lee turned down a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are in first place atop the National League West, invoking his 10 and 5 player rights.  Some reports say that Lee did not want to take a pay cut by moving to a state with a state income tax, California.  So, instead, Lee is traded to a fourth-place team about to be 10 games out of first place. Florida, like Texas, has no state income tax.

One thing is now clear: Carlos Lee is not interested in winning, just his paycheck.  This probably means he will contribute nothing whatsoever to the Marlins.  

In 2012, Lee has a .286 batting average, 5 home runs, and 29 RBI.  The Astros will pay most of Lee's salary and receive third baseman Matt Dominguez and pitcher Rob Rasmussen.