This is good news for Phillies fans. For a while, there was concerned that an NL team like the Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets or Los Angeles Dodgers would acquire Cliff Lee from the Seattle Mariners. That isn’t happening now.
Lee was just traded to the Texas Rangers according to multiple media outlets.
In return, the Mariners get 1B Justin Smoak RHP Blake Beavan, RHP Josh Lueke and 2B Matt Lawson.
The Rangers currently have a 5.5 game lead on the AL West and clearly think that Lee will put them over the top and help them contend for the World Series. I have no idea if they believe they can sign him beyond this year, but that’s been the big question mark any time Lee’s name pops up in trade talks.
On the mound, Lee has been smoking this year. He is 8-3 with a 2.43 ERA in 13 starts.
Good thing the Phillies didn’t keep him?
screw ’em
Chances are (90%-10%) that Cliff Lee will not sign a long-term offer with the Rangers and will become a Free-Agent after the 2010 Season and command even more $$$$ and attention especially if the Rangers make the Playoffs and he has a good run which most expect…
The Phil’s could bid on him again next Free-agency period but he will command $16-$20 Million per
Season by then did…It’s a shame for the Phils probably could have had a good opportunity to lock
him up for about 3-4 years at $12 Million per Year if they would have just talked to him and his agent more .. I think R Amaro and rest of Front Office were just so hell bent on obtaining R Halladay that they lost focuse on the bigger picture of the team…
Hence the lack of quality for the Bullpen and Bench that Phils have in 2010…
The Cliff Lee trade for 3 bums will unfortunately haunt Reuben Amaro until he wins another World Series.