Nationals join the hunt for top free agent Cliff Lee
The Washington Nationals are one of the surprise packages for the upcoming Major League Baseball (MLB) season. The side made headlines a few days ago, when they went on to sign Jayson Werth for seven years on a $126 million contract. The side that came last
in the National League East standings sent shockwaves throughout the country. However, the move in effect has made them a side tipped for glory in the coming years.
Bryce Harper is one of the top prospects in baseball, and his move to the Nationals signaled to pundits that the franchise are going to spend heavily this year, to capitalise on minor league players looking to step up to the MLB. Buying Werth could have
been considered a move to groom the rising prospects, but with a strong outfielder and hitter in the squad, the focus will now shift to the pitching department.
The Nationals are keen to add experience, and quality is an objective that isn’t held down by the side. The club have now joined the race for Cliff Lee, who is considered the top pitcher in the free agent market, but they face stiff competition from the
New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers.
The player’s agent, Darek Braunecker, was up to comment on the recent development in the winter meetings. He told reporters on Tuesday, "We've continued to make progress. We've met with a significant number of teams ... more than the two that have been reported.
We've met with quite a few teams."
It isn’t a surprise to know that the Nationals are a part of the surmised teams to have contacted Lee. The added pressure on the big clubs will ensure Cliff a valuable salary package for the coming years, and many now suspect Washington planning a big-money
similar to the one Jayson Werth was offered.
The Yankees are doing their best to follow up on Lee, and General Manager, Brian Cashman recently said, "While we're in the same area, I'm going to meet with them as much as I possibly can."
When asked about a deadline on Lee’s decision for joining a club, Braunecker responded with, "I don't know how to describe it. We continue to progress. We still don't have any timetable on this."
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