Pirates acquire Lee from O's By Sports Network

Derrek Lee rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Red Sox in Baltimore, Md., July 19, 2011. (ROB CARR/Getty Imagse/AFP)

NEW YORK - The Pittsburgh Pirates, vying for their first trip to the playoffs since 1992, acquired veteran first baseman Derrek Lee from the Baltimore Orioles Saturday night.

The deal, which came on the eve of MLB's non-waiver trade deadline, saw minor league first baseman Aaron Baker headed to Baltimore.

The 35-year-old Lee is hitting .246 with 12 homers and 41 RBI in 85 games this season, his first with the Orioles. He was signed to a one-year, $7.25 million deal in the offseason.

A two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, Lee has also played for San Diego, Florida, the Cubs and Atlanta.

"We are pleased to add a quality veteran player like Derrek Lee to our ball club," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said. "He is an experienced, productive right-handed hitter and solid defender who should add to our team on the field and in the clubhouse."

Getting Lee could help the Pirates in their quest for a playoff spot. They've had 18 straight losing seasons, but after Saturday were 54-51 and 3 1/2 games behind first-place Milwaukee in the NL Central.

Baker, 23, has batted .285 with 15 homers and 72 RBI in 102 games for Single-A Bradenton this year.

To make room on the 40-man roster, the Pirates have transferred catcher Ryan Doumit to the 60-day disabled list.