What was it that Yogi Berra said, "It's like deja vu all
over again"?
Why do I have the feeling that I have done this before? By this, I mean a
piece in July on where or who is interested in grabbing Cliff Lee at the trade
deadline. Oh, that's right, it's because I did exactly the same thing a year
ago when Cleveland was offering the left-hander to anyone who would listen.
Yes, Lee has become the modern-day David Cone, a mercenary commodity acquired
for the stretch run by teams harboring World Series aspirations. Cone did it a
couple of times in his career, and now Lee, who was an integral part of the
Philadelphia Phillies' second straight National League title a year ago,
appears to be headed in that same direction.
Seattle entered the year as the American League West favorite after
acquiring Lee from Philadelphia. With the perennial division powerhouse Los
Angeles Angels of Anaheim expected to have a down year, Seattle was the
obvious choice with Lee and the uber-talented Felix Hernandez combining for
one of the best 1-2 combinations atop a rotation.
Of course, the season has not gone as planned, as the Mariners have been one
of the biggest disappointments in the league and reside in last place in the
West, 15 games back of division-leading Texas.
Outside of missing the first month of the season with an abdominal injury,
Lee is hardly to blame, as he is 8-3 with an AL-low 2.34 ERA. Oh, by the way
he has won his last four starts and five of his last six, going the distance
in four of those outings. Not a bad showing for a guy who is going to be a
free agent at the end of the year.
He is the best pitcher in baseball at the moment and people in Cleveland and
Philadelphia may not want to hear this, but Seattle is going to get a ton more
in return for him than, for one, they gave up, and, two, what the Phillies
paid for him at last year's deadline.
How can that be possible for a player who is essentially a two-month rental?
Quite simply, it is the market. Some people have speculated that there could
upwards of 11 or 12 teams involved in this when it is all said and done. Throw
in both New York teams, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay and you have yourself a
full-fledged bidding war for a top-of-the-line pitcher who is at the top of
his game.
So let's take a look below at the teams who are expected to be in the running
for the former A.L. Cy Young Award winner's services before the July 31 non-
waiver trade deadline:
FAVORITES
MINNESOTA TWINS - Initially it was reported that Seattle had hoped to obtain a
catching prospect as part of the ransom they would receive for Lee. Enter the
Minnesota Twins, who at the moment are a half game back of the Detroit Tigers
in the A.L. Central. They fill Seattle's need in backstop Wilson Ramos, and
with somebody named Joe Mauer currently behind the plate, Ramos is absolutely
expendable. In addition to Ramos, the Twins also are apparently willing to
part with outfielder Aaron Hicks. If that is indeed true, this whole
sweepstakes may be a moot point, because an offer like that in my opinion
means game over.
NEW YORK METS - The New York Mets desperately need another starter to pair
with Johan Santana and Mike Pelfrey. Earlier in the year, they had hoped to
get someone like a Kevin Millwood, or some other veteran innings-eater. But
with Carlos Beltran nearing a return and the Mets just two games out of first
place in the N.L. East, they are real players here. Catcher Josh Thole is a
marginal prospect, but 22-year-old flame thrower Jenrry Meja is legit. A
package centered around those two, plus an Angel Pagan or Jonathan Niese,
should get it done.
TAMPA BAY RAYS - This is the one team that should scare the rest of the league
if they can get Lee. The Rays have done their best to keep themselves under
the radar here, but they are definitely involved, and some people think
they may very well be the favorites to land him. Manager Joe Maddon and the
rest of the organization have tired of B.J. Upton and could offer him along
with Dioner Navarro. Upton could be as talented a player as there is in the
league, but some think he just will never get it from a maturity standpoint.
The blowup with Evan Longoria in the team dugout a couple weeks back seems to
have been the final straw.
KICKING THE TIRES
NEW YORK YANKEES - I am not so sure how involved the Yankees will be in this
whole process, but if the Rays are indeed involved, you can bet your bottom
dollar that general manager Brian Cashman is looking into acquiring Lee. The
Yankees have two of the top catching prospects in baseball at their disposal
in Austin Romine and Jesus Montero, not to mention 24-year-old Francisco
Cervelli, who is currently on their roster. Let's be honest, though, Lee is a
luxury for the Yankees, unless they can unload Javier Vazquez, who is in the
final year of his deal.
CINCINNATI REDS - I was skeptical of the Reds being the trendy pick at the
beginning of the year because, well, they are the Reds. I was completely
wrong, though, and an acquisition of Lee could very well tip the scale in
their favor in the N.L. Central. If anything, it give them a sense of
legitimacy. In addition to a catcher, Seattle also could use a first baseman,
and Yonder Alonso certainly fits the bill. The Reds are going to shut down
rookie Mike Leake at some point and they cannot count on much from Edinson
Volquez, who is expected to return from Tommy John surgery, as well as a
steroid suspension, after the All-Star break. It would be a bold move, but if
the Reds want to reach the postseason it may be one they have to make.
ST. LOUIS CARDINALS - A month or so ago, I thought the Cardinals would be big
players for Chicago lefty Mark Buehrle, who is a St. Louis native. But the
White Sox have been on a tremendous roll of late and are just one game back of
Detroit in the AL Central. So, he is out. The Cards need another starter. Brad
Penny is coming back, but they probably need another one anyway, especially if
there is an innings limit on Jaime Garcia. Not to mention that the Reds are
interested, so common sense tells you that the Cards would have to be a player
just to block him from going to a division rival.
LONGSHOTS
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES - The Phillies can certainly use Lee, but I don't see
general manager Ruben Amaro going back there. He would have to surrender
prized prospect Dominic Brown, a player he was unwilling to include this past
winter in the Roy Halladay deal. The Phils will rue the day they dealt Lee
should he come back to haunt them come playoff time.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS - There is probably not a better fit for Lee than in Los
Angeles, but the Dodgers' financial situation is up in the air with regards to
the messy divorce of owner Frank McCourt. I don't see them making a move like
this.
TEXAS RANGERS - The Rangers are in first place. They have pitched better than
anyone ever thought they could. Lately, though, it has been their incredible
offense that has carried them. They were sniffing around at Roy Oswalt
earlier, so logic tells you they have made a call concerning Lee. But, as bad
of a financial situation the Dodgers are in, the Rangers are in worse shape
with an unsettled ownership situation. The only way they can pull off a deal
like this is if Seattle takes Rich Harden back. Doubtful, considering he is
currently on the disabled list.
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