Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury says the San Francisco Giants need a middle-of-the-order hitter and he suggests the Chicago Cubs Derrek Lee as the answer to the team’s offensive woes.

Baggarly says his right-handed power, good defense, leadership, playoff experience, the fact that he’s in the final year of his contract and the fact that he’s a Northern California native are positives that could be attractive to the Giants.

So what’s the hold up – a no-trade clause (probably waived if he goes to SF) and competition from others who need an offensive first baseman.

The Angels have been rumored to be chasing Lee in the wake of the Kendry Morales walk-off grand slam broken leg (You can see the video here). Given that it’s a contract year for Lee, he could put up better numbers in Anaheim than at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Oh yeah, the Cubs have to give up on their season before they start unloading star players.