Derrek Lee isn't going anywhere.
The first baseman used his contractual no-trade clause to block a trade to the Los Angeles Angels. He'll stay in Chicago until at least the end of the season.
"When the trade was presented to me, I just felt the best thing for me and my family was to stay here," Lee said to ESPN after the Cubs lost 8-1 to the Astros. "(General Manager) Jim (Hendry) and I had a great conversation about it. Jim's been great about the whole thing.
Cubs management haven't reassured him they want him on the roster next year, according to the Chicago Tribune.
"You guys know I'm having a terrible season," he said. "That's where my thoughts have been."
Lee will become a free agent at the end of his worst season since 1999. He's batting .248 with only 11 home runs and 44 RBIs in 97 games, the paper reports.
He dismissed any ideas of early retirement stressing he wanted to play next year.
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"It's not that bad of a season," Lee said. "That hasn't crossed my mind."
