Rangers Swoop In to Snatch Lee after Yankees Negotiations Falter
A Cliff Lee move to the New York Yankees appeared inevitable as the Seattle Mariners negotiations with the Yanks were getting closer and closer to working out a deal. However talks stalled and the Texas Rangers snatched the lefty.
With several teams showing interest, the Rangers traded first baseman http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=30175 and minor leaguers Blake Beavan, Josh Lueke and Matthew Lawson for Lee and reliever Mark Lowe.
The Yankees appeared to be in position to land the ace. Their offers included Jesus Montero, who is regarded as one of the best prospects in baseball, as well as second baseman David Adams and another prospect.
However, the Mariners were concerned over Montero’s health as he is out with a sprained ankle and talks stalled.
New York’s management believed all along that they would be able to offer the most for Lee as Montero appears to be a future slugger. There have been questions though as to whether he can be a catcher in the big leagues and it is unknown whether he’ll catch or play first base.
The deal will send Lee from the last place Mariners to the first place Rangers, which has the lefty excited,
"Just heard from [Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik]," Lee texted to ESPN "It's official. From last [place] to first."
The Mariners are also paying part of Lee’s remaining salary as they will send $2.5 million to the Rangers. Due to the sale of the team, Texas has had lingering bankruptcy issues and it was unknown whether they’d be able to make the big move for the stretch run.
The team is currently being run by the league and taking on this additional debt may be an issue for the Rangers.
This isn’t the first time Lee has been on the move. Last season, Lee was traded from the Cleveland Indians to the Philadelphia Phillies just before the trade deadline. Lee became the Phillies number one man in their pitching rotation and led them to their second straight National League Pennant.
This past off-season Lee was traded in a three-way deal between Seattle, Toronto and Philly as the Phillies opted to acquire Roy Halladay, trading Lee to the Mariners.
In his first season with Seattle, Lee is 8-3 with a 2.34 ERA and has made the All-Star Game.
Lee has had a spectacular career, winning the Cy Young award in 2008 with the Indians. Over nine seasons he is 98-55 with a 3.84 ERA.
While it is unusual for a team to trade it’s best pitcher within the same division, the Mariners likely had no choice. They have been a huge disappointment this season. They sit in 4th place in the AL West, well behind the Rangers who lead the division.
Lee feels very good about where he is going: “I’m going to be on a very good team. Definitely gonna be hot!"
The Rangers and Mariners appeared to have a deal in place a few days ago, but the Rangers balked when asked to trade Smoak. With the Yankees looming in and about to grab the ace, the Rangers quickly got back into negotiations with Seattle and agreed to add Smoak into the mix. Now the Rangers have come out of nowhere to grab the ace pitcher. They now are looking very strong and will be tough to beat down the stretch.
The Rangers will now get more starts out of Lee because they traded for him now, rather than waiting until the deadline. As the Rangers attempt to dethrone the Angels and take the AL West crown, the team is looking very good right now and now looks poised to take a run at the pennant and perhaps, the World Series.
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