The Brewers are sidestepping negotiations on a long-term contract for Carlos Lee, apparently figuring it makes more sense to replace him than to consider a long-term deal at market value, which would be somewhere north of $10 million a year. That's because the 29-year-old Lee has averaged 31 homers and 109 RBIs over the last three years. He will earn $8.5 million this year in the final season of the deal he got with the White Sox in 2003. If he's having a typical season, Lee should appeal to any contender looking for a hitter to help them in August and September. That could include the White Sox, Cubs or any of the teams chasing them.