Braves add more offense by getting Lee from Cubs

The Braves bulked up for the playoff race Wednesday, acquiring first baseman Derrek Lee from the Cubs.

The Braves sent three minor-league pitchers to the Cubs, none of them considered top-level prospects.

Atlanta already had Troy Glaus at first base but, in an unexpected move, the team announced he'll go on the disabled list. The Braves want Glaus to rest his legs for a week, then head to Triple-A Gwinnett to get in some work at his former position, third base.

The Braves are looking for any offensive help they can get after losing Chipper Jones to a season-ending knee injury. Just last season, Lee, 34, hit .306 with 35 HRs and 111 RBIs.

Lee, who's hitting .251 this season with 16 HRs and 56 RBIs, turned down a trade to the Angels last month, exercising his rights as a 10-year veteran who had played at least five years with the same team. But he felt more comfortable coming to Atlanta, which led the NL East by 2 1/2 games going into last night.

"The main thing is we've got six weeks to go and Atlanta's in first place," Lee said. "They're playing great baseball. It just felt right. A chance to go to the postseason, it's hard to pass up."- AP