Derrek Lee said no thanks to a trade that would have landed him with the Angels.  Lee, who has a full no-trade clause, rejected the transaction because he wants to finish out the year in Chicago.

He’s a free agent at the end of the year and, at age 34; Chicago was appropriate for deciding to explore trade opportunities.  Unfortunately, Lee didn’t bite on going west.

For his part, Lee says he wants to stay in Chicago for this year and beyond, so there is a chance the Cubs will sign him at a discounted rate. 

For now, this doesn’t look like the Jake Peavy situation from last year when he rejected and then finally accepted a trade to the White Sox.  There’s probably not enough time to go back to the drawing board.  Certainly he considered moving to L.A., but the Angels are 8.5 games back compared to 10.5 games for the Cubbies.  Perhaps, he would have accepted a trade to a “better contender?”