Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that the Indians are in the market for a right-handed bat, and Derrek Lee, Andruw Jones, Ryan Ludwick and Mike Cameron are on their radar. The Indians have grown impatient with Matt LaPorta, and adding Lee on a short-term deal should be relatively inexpensive and give them a more reliable bat. Jones and Cameron would be part-timers, but Jones did mash against left-handed pitching in 2011.

Pirates general manager Neal Huntington is optimistic about re-signing free agent first baseman Derrek Lee. The Pirates offered Lee arbitration, and he could wind up accepting if he doesn't think he'll get more on the open market. The 36-year-old is also considering retirement. "We're optimistic about an arbitration settlement or negotiated contract," Huntington said. "But we're also preparing to move on if he chooses to play somewhere else or decides not to play next year." If Lee doesn't return, Garrett Jones is the most likely internal option to fill the void, though he could platoon with prospect Matt Hague or veterans Jake Fox or Nick Evans.

The Pirates offered arbitration to Derrek Lee. And they're likely hoping that he will accept. Lee batted .337/.398/.584 with seven home runs in 101 at-bats down the stretch for Pittsburgh this past year while also playing his usual brand of steady defense at first base. At age 36 he might rather move on to a contending team, but the Pirates clearly would like him to return. Chris Snyder and Ryan Ludwick were not offered arbitration.

The Pirates would like to re-sign free agent Derrek Lee. It's not surprising, given that the Bucs have a hole at first base and Lee batted .337/.398/.584 with seven homers over 101 at-bats for them down the stretch. What remains to be seen, though is whether the 36-year-old Lee has interest in returning to the Pirates or might prefer going to a team that has a better shot to contend.

Derrek Lee went 3-for-4 with a homer and two RBI against the Diamondbacks on Wednesday. Lee is hitting .387 with five homers and 15 RBI in 62 at-bats this month and .336 with 10 homers in 137 at-bats during the season half. A couple of months ago, it looked like his career was nearing an end. Now he figures to be in demand as a free agent this winter.

Derrek Lee smashed a go-ahead grand slam in the ninth inning of Saturday's 7-5 win over the Cubs. Lee finished 3-for-5 with five total RBI in the impressive comeback victory. He spent the last three-plus weeks nursing a wrist fracture but should see regular playing time down the stretch. The veteran first baseman is worth a look in NL-only leagues.

Pirates activated 1B Derrek Lee from the 15-day disabled list. Lee has been sidelined since August 10 with a small fracture in his left wrist, but he took batting practice Friday without any issues and is good to go. The trade acquisition batted .278/.316/.722 in just five games for the Pirates before the injury.

Derrek Lee (wrist) could be activated from the disabled list Saturday. Lee took batting practice Friday and launched a few balls into the Wrigley Field shrubbery beyond the center field fence. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said Lee will get the bulk of the playing time at first base when he returns. "We need to find out what Derrek's capable of, and how he fits here," Hurdle said. "Is there a future? I don't know. I don't think he knows."

Derrek Lee (wrist) took swings with a bat Monday for the first time since landing on the disabled list. Lee hit soft toss and took some swings off a tee, feeling no unexpected discomfort in his left wrist. "It's nice to finally get a bat in my hands," he said. "Hopefully it's not too much longer I'll be out there playing in real games." The Pirates are hoping to get him back by mid-September.

Derrek Lee (wrist) will attempt to swing a bat Monday. Lee has been out since mid-August with a fractured bone in his left wrist. He could go out on a brief rehab assignment if Monday's session goes well, with a return in early-to-mid September looking likely.