Houston Astros Trade Speculation: Five Teams Aiming for Carlos Lee

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HOUSTON - AUGUST 16: Carlos Lee #45 of the Houston Astros is tagged out at home by catcher Koyie Hill #55 trying to score in the first inning on a double by Jimmy Paredes #38 at Minute Maid Park on August 16, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/

Bob Levey/Getty Images

Carlos Lee has cleared waivers and the Houston Astros would love to get him off their hands, if they could.

There are two major issues involving any trade of Lee.

First, he has a limited no-trade clause. This means he has a list of 14 teams he can reject a trade to.

Second, he is owed $18.5 million next season. Not the amount of money someone wants to pay for someone that is well past their prime.

Ultimately, I highly doubt any trade involving Carlos Lee would happen this year. Maybe next year he could be a half-season rental for a team.

However, there definitely are some teams involved in some hotly contested pennant races that could use the services of Lee.

Lee will definitely be an upgrade over these teams at either 1B, DH, or corner OF.

5. New York Yankees

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 21: Alex Rodriguez #13 and Curtis Granderson #14 of the New York Yankees celebrate a win against the Minnesota Twins on August 21, 2011 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Yankees defeated the Twins 3-0. (Photo by Hanna

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

The New York Yankees have had a revolving door at DH this season and Carlos Lee could provide some stability there.

Right now they are using Eric Chavez (.258,. 1 HR, 15 RBI), Andruw Jones (.248, 9 HR, 26 RBI), and Jorge Posada (.241, 10 HR, 47 RBI).

None of them have really stepped up to be a very productive DH.

Carlos Lee could come in and give the Yankees a boost in their AL East race with the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays.

Lee still knows how to drive in runs and is batting for a much better average (.268) than all the current DH options for the Yankees.

4. Atlanta Braves

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 22:The Atlanta Braves celebrate their victory against the Chicago Cubs on August 22, 2011 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. The Braves defeated the Cubs 3-0. (Photo by David Banks/Getty Images)

David Banks/Getty Images

Jason Heyward has been a huge letdown for the Atlanta Braves this year with his .218 batting average.

The Braves have called up Jose Constanza and in his limited action has seen very good success, batting .372 in 78 AB.

However, Constanza is taking up a corner outfield spot where you would like some run production and his 9 RBI is very low, even with limited AB.

Carlos Lee could take over in RF in Atlanta and shore up a position that has been nothing short of an albatross for the Braves.

And if they want any shot of catching the Philadelphia Phillies, they need production from that position.

3. Cleveland Indians

DETROIT - AUGUST 21: Lou Marson #6 and Jack Hannahan #9 of the Cleveland Indians celebrate with Shin-Soo Choo #17 after scoring on Michael Brantley #23 double to deep right field in the fourth inning during the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica

Leon Halip/Getty Images

The Indians are just 5.5 games back in the AL Central, where the Detroit Tigers are having a hard time pulling away with the division.

Adding Carlos Lee would do many things for the Indians.

They will be able to keep Matt LaPorta at 1B, and Carlos Santana at C.

This will provide some much needed line up stability, which will be huge for this team as they try to catch up to the Tigers.

After trading for Ubaldo Jimenez, the Indians front office has shown they are willing to buy.

However, I would be shocked if they pulled the trigger on this one.

2. San Francisco Giants

HOUSTON - AUGUST 21: Third baseman Pablo Sandoval #48 of the San Francisco Giants throws out Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros after a sacrifice bunt inthe ninth inning at Minute Maid Park on August 21, 2011 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Ge

Bob Levey/Getty Images

The Giants are currently in a close race with the Arizona Diamondbacks for the NL West title and adding Carlos Lee would certainly help them a lot.

In LF they have Brandon Belt (.230, 5 HR, 12 RBI) and Cody Ross (.235, 10 HR, 41 RBI). Neither of which have stepped up and claimed the LF spot.

In RF, Nate Schierholtz is not being a run producer with a modest BA. His nine HR and 41 RBI are just not enough.

So even if Carlos Beltran comes back healthy, which is a big if, they will be needing some extra punch.

It is just not a very good picture for the Giants in the outfield right now.

The Giants are second to last in the majors in runs scored. Getting Lee will add a major boost of offensive production in the meat of that line up.

Something the Giants desperately need to overtake the Diamondbacks.

1. Arizona Diamondbacks

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 19: Pitcher Daniel Hudson #41 of the Arizona Diamondbacks lays a bunt down during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field on August 19, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images

The Arizona Diamondbacks really have had no answer at 1B.

Right now they have Paul Goldschmidt (.233, 4 HR, 10 RBI), a recent call up, and Lyle Overbay (.230, 8HR, 40 RBI), a recent signing after Xavier Nady went down with a hand injury.

Even if Nady was healthy, 1B would still be a major weakness. He is only batting .248, with 4 HR and 35 RBI. His OBP is an abysmal .287.

Carlos Lee could come right in and start at 1B for the Diamondbacks and give them much better run production, something a baseball team needs from a position like 1B.

This could be the deal that pushes them to run away with the division over the San Francisco Giants.

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