Ten teams (at least) would like to have Cliff Lee’s services in 2011 and beyond.
Obviously, with their wealth and their World Series caliber roster, the Yankees are in the driver’s seat for the 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner.
The other 29 teams in Major League Baseball certainly hope that doesn’t happen.
And one of those 29 teams might actually be lucky enough to steal him away from Hal Steinbrenner, Brian Cashman, and the Yankees.
Here are the ten best suitors.
Although the Yankees are considered the current front-runner for Lee’s services based on their financial resources alone, there are sure to be plenty of other teams who make a run for the crafty lefty.
Measuring Lee’s worth is no small task, as his success has not stretched over the duration of his career; he’s been nothing short of amazing since 2008.
What teams could benefit from adding him to the staff?
Every team in the league, that’s for sure.
However, the following 10 teams are the most realistic suitors in addition to the Bronx Bombers.
1. New York Mets, NL East
With staff ace Johan Santana out until at least May at the very earliest, the Mets are slated to go with either R.A. Dickey or Mike Pelfrey as the 2011 Opening Day starter. If the team hopes to actually fill the seats in their beautiful stadium, that’s not a good look.
The Metropolitans will be hesitant to hand out another multi-year, lucrative deal to a starter after doing so with Santana, and new GM Sandy Alderson is not the type of guy to dole out huge dollars on a guy that only takes the field once every five days.
2. Washington Nationals, NL East
If the Nationals ever hope to compete in their division, the team is going to need a legitimate ace to do so, and there’s no better definition than Lee. Although some believe that the Nats don’t have the dollars necessary to make it happen, General Manager Mike Rizzo has indicated that they are looking at every and any way to improve the ballclub.
Should the Nationals be able to lure the lefty onto the squad, they’d finally have the beginnings of something special in the Washington rotation that could help bring future free agents to the re-building franchise.
3. Minnesota Twins, AL Central
The Twinnies seem to make a postseason appearance every season regardless of who is on the roster, so just imagine what Lee could do for this team. While Minnesota probably doesn’t have the money necessary to pull the trigger, Lee would flourish magnificently in Minny.
SP Francisco Liriano is still a bit of a question mark, and the depth behind him is mediocre, at best. A potent pairing of the killer L’s atop the Twins rotation could be awfully intimidating for opponents, and go a very long way toward the team finally being able to beat the Yanks.
4. Milwaukee Brewers, NL Central
Anyone who watched CC Sabathia pitch the Brewers into the playoffs, can imagine what Lee could do for the franchise. A rotation that seems to be constantly toiling in mediocrity, the Brewers would greatly benefit from adding a long-term anchor at the helm.
With a lineup that boasts both Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder, Lee could win well over 20 games in what is arguably baseball’s easiest division.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers, NL West
It’s too bad that the Dodgers are facing tough financial times in the wake of the McCourt family drama, because Los Angeles would be the perfect spotlight for Lee to shine.
The NL West is undoubtedly the worst offensive division in baseball, and Lee would have a field day facing the D-Backs and Padres on a regular basis.
6. Detroit Tigers, AL Central
Despite the Tigers having a very prolific offense last season, they failed to make it to the playoffs yet again. Already with blossoming starters Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, the Tigers would have the best 1-2-3 in baseball if they added Cliff Lee.
With Detroit having around $50 million coming off the books, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that they decide to spend lavishly and go for the big free-agent splash. If they sign C Victor Martinez, Lee’s battery-mate for the good majority of his career, it bodes even better for their chances.
7. Toronto Blue Jays, AL East
After shocking the world with their success this season, the Blue Jays are clearly a team on the rise in a very competitive division. If they have any hope of ever finding themselves back in postseason play ahead of the Yankees and/or Red Sox, it starts with signing Lee.
With youngsters Brandon Morrow and Kyle Drabek looking to be a big (and cheap) part of the Jays’ rotation plans, adding the veteran Lee would provide an immense boost to the entire clubhouse.
Lee may want to have his passport at the ready.
8. Chicago White Sox, AL Central
GM Kenny Williams is known to be a big time gambler as evidenced by his track record, and who better to go all in with than Lee?
The Jake Peavy acquisition hasn’t gone exactly according to plan, and the team already has a solid offensive core to pair with rising starters John Danks and Gavin Floyd. If they can get Lee to man the top spot in the rotation, there could be bright times ahead for the South Side Sox.
9. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, AL West
The Angels would be higher up on this list if they weren’t rumored to already be heavily after free agents Carl Crawford and Adrian Beltre.
Having said that, should the Halos swing and miss on one or both of the aforementioned, the Angels have a legitimate chance to steal Lee off the market. With a ton of money to spend and owner Arte Moreno ready to sign his name, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Lee land in LA after all.
10. Baltimore Orioles, AL East
The Baltimore pitching staff has been so notoriously bad over past season’s that the 2009 staff ace was Kevin Milwood.
After missing out on adding Teixeira to the team, perhaps the O’s brass will once again be willing to open up their checkbooks for this extraordinary talent. Should Baltimore be able to somehow land Lee, it would not only boost team morale, but additionally would serve as the initial stepping stone toward re-building the pitching staff.
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Cliff Lee is a very good pitcher, and has had great success in both the American and National leagues during his time for the Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers.
However, Lee is already 32 years old, and his best days are likely numbered.
The New York Yankees are ready to make another big splash this MLB offseason, and a starting pitcher is a top priority. But given Cliff Lee’s age and lack of success in the World Series, should Yankees general manager Brian Cashman find a different starter?
This winter will not be a shopping season full of great starting pitchers. The drop off in quality starters after Cliff Lee is immense, and the Yankees might not want to wait another year for a different crop of free agents.
Consider that the Yankees must re-sign veterans Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter this winter, both of whom are New York legends, and surely cannot be seen in a uniform other than Yankee pinstripes.
Jeter and Rivera will cost a pretty penny, but not as much as what Lee will demand.
Lee will surely ask for over $100 million for at least five seasons, and could possibly look for a deal similar to what the Yankees gave pitching ace C.C. Sabathia prior to the 2009 season (seven years, $160 million).
During the regular season, Lee was not the dominant pitcher the Rangers had hoped for after giving away top hitting prospect Justin Smoak to Seattle in exchange for Lee among others.
During the 2010 MLB playoffs, Lee was spectacular until the grandest stage, the World Series. Lee was battered in Game 1 by a Giants offense that was finding it difficult to score runs, ultimately taking the loss.
In the clincher at home in Game 5, Lee gave up a three-run homer to eventual series MVP Edgar Renteria, which was the difference in the game, giving Lee a second World Series loss, and the Giants a world championship.
Cliff Lee’s sudden collapse in the World Series should trouble every team looking to sign him this winter. Did the pressure of the World Series get to him? It’s difficult to tell because he is such a calm person on the mound, but perhaps he was a bit rattled.
Game 1 nerves are understandable for a player starting his first ever Fall Classic game, but Game 5 was a must win for the Rangers, and Lee blew it.
What if Cliff Lee begins to show his age sooner, and does not fulfill the large contract he will receive from some desperate team? The Yankees have already blown huge contracts on A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira (who has had decent regular seasons, but very weak postseasons) and they cannot afford another.
As a franchise, the Yankees are an aging organization, and assuming they re-sign Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera they will not be allowed to usher in a younger player at the shortstop and closer positions. Andy Pettitte, Alex Rodriguez, and Jorge Posada are all key players for New York who showed decline last season, yet do not have a solid young backup ready to fill in.
Brett Gardner, Phil Hughes, and Robinson Cano are good young players, but they are the only ones with mild success.
Catching prospect Jesus Montero is the eventual successor for Posada, but catchers are difficult to project due to the rigor of playing the position.
New York should instead turn their attention to Rays outfielder Carl Crawford, continue to develop young pitcher Phil Hughes and look for veterans they can sign to low risk/high reward deals.
The Yankees much show patience this offseason, and not give in to Cliff Lee just because he is the only great starter available. Just because Brian Cashman has a big checkbook at his disposal, doesn’t mean he has to use it to make up for the disappointments of last season.
The Yankees will always have money, but their ability to spend it wisely will determine their future success. Cliff Lee, at 32, is not a smart investment for the Bronx Bombers.
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MLB trade rumors and free agency whispers begin to fly around the news wires every offseason and the New York Yankees normally have their own column stretching on for miles.
Due to their annual payroll advantage and relentless desire to improve at every position, the New York Yankees are usually linked to each and every high-priced athlete put up for grabs.
While some rumors (such as Cliff Lee currently or CC Sabathia in 2008) have plenty of credibility attached to them, many others are nothing more than empty hopes and dreams. Often times these rumors are ways for teams to posture and improve their standing in other negotiations.
This list will help to cut through the nonsense and play a little New York Yankees “Fact or Faction” with regard to the offseason rumor mill.
Here are 10 often-discussed Yankee rumors that you should not at all believe:
The silence of free agency is overwhelming New York Yankees fans, as rumors of contract negotiations and who is going where are circling the sports media.
No one really knows much except that Yankees GM Brian Cashman met with ex-captain Derek Jeter in Tampa Bay, FL. Then, Cashman and crew headed to Benton, Arkansas to pay a visit to the home of free agent ace Cliff Lee.
Cashman also made a point to meet with catcher Jorge Posada so there was no confusion to his role for the 2011 season. To no surprise, Posada will primarily be a DH but still catch around 40-50 games. Posada was told to stick to his regular offseason regime and come to spring training ready to catch.
The only other fact confirmed by the Yankees is that a scheduled meeting with closer Mariano Rivera and his agents was up next.
Everyone wants this drama to have an ending ASAP.
What is most bothersome is the media’s new found shredding of Derek Jeter, which is a major embarrassment.
ESPN is turning into TMZ, featuring stories of icons like Jeter, Favre and Bonds, but the difference is Jeter is a gentleman. Jeter is not hopped on ‘roids or sending pornographic pictures to married women.
Jeter only won a Gold Glove, not because he campaigned hard to win nut. The voting for the Gold Glove Awards consists of all MLB managers and coaches, but they cannot vote for anyone on their respective teams. So, if haters need to blame anyone it’s the 29 non-Yankee managers for giving Jeter the award.
Jeter is a true real role model, works hard, and doesn’t cheat on his wife with hookers or harsh any woman he wants. Jeter is a winner, who is deeply respected by his peers and has still remained a humble captain.
That’s all the facts as of today. Plenty of hearsay and diarrhea of the mouth has and will go one, but until it comes out of Cashman’s mouth it is best to ignore it.
Please note: Robinson Cano won a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger; Mark Teixeira won a Gold Glove. Congratulations to both of them.
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The MLB hot stove has officially begun to warm up.
Perhaps the most exciting time in the entire year for diehard fans and the most stressful for those working in front offices, the free-agent frenzy has great influence on the next season and beyond.
With SP Cliff Lee undoubtedly the biggest prize on the market, teams will be looking to make franchise-shaping moves in the coming weeks. While some teams may have more financial resources than others, sometimes avoiding dishing out the lucrative multi-year deal can be a better investment than reeling in a big-name bust like the Mets did with Jason Bay last season.
1. Cliff Lee, SP
As aforementioned, Lee will be top dog of the group. Expecting to command a contract that is very similar to the one CC Sabathia signed with the Yankees (seven years, $161 million), Lee’s demands could far exceed just about every team’s payroll except for one.
You guessed it, the Yankees.
While Lee’s wife has stated that she loves the time they spent in Texas, the re-invented lefty is 32 years old, and this will be his only chance to cash in on the big bucks. If the Yankees come knocking with an offer that trumps every other team’s, it’s hard to imagine him saying no.
Prediction: New York Yankees
2. Carl Crawford, OF
The closest thing to a five-tool player in the entire bunch, Crawford’s unique skill set should prove to be worth over $100 million to his new club. An original member of the Tampa Bay club, the only team he has ever known, will let him walk out the door.
While some have speculated that the Red Sox could possibly make a run, perhaps Crawford’s tenure in the AL East has led him to be somewhat calloused toward the rest of the clubs. Additionally, the Sox do not hand out long-term deals too readily, and have to worry about far too many other spots (catcher, namely) to think about throwing the big bucks at the other CC.
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
3. Jayson Werth, OF
Agent Scott Boras is doing his best to sell Werth as this year’s version of Matt Holliday, but he’s going to have a tough time on that one. The Phillies took a chance on Werth prior to the 2008 season, and the bearded beast has provided a phenomenal return on investment.
There is somewhat of a hesitancy to shell out a large contract to Werth, who really didn’t do much in his career prior to his tenure in Philadelphia, but someone is certain to overpay. While Werth is certainly a talented player, his home ballpark (Citizens Bank) is considered a bandbox, and his power numbers may fall off with his new team…unless he lands back in the division where his career began.
Prediction: Boston Red Sox
4. Adrian Beltre, 3B
Notorious for performing best in the walk years of his contract, Beltre’s one-year “pillow” contract with the Red Sox couldn’t have worked out better for both sides. Unfortunately for the Sox, the third baseman most likely priced himself off of the payroll with his very good 2010 season.
An excellent defender, Beltre’s offensive statistics were his best since his 2004 farewell season with the Dodgers. Now 31 years old, the veteran will be looking for a very hefty four or five-year contract that will pay him between $15-20 million per season, and only teams with money to spend can dole out that kind of dough.
Prediction: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
5. Derek Jeter, SS
The stickiest contract of the entire offseason, Jeter will certainly take his sweet time in negotiating with the Yankees. With no other team expected to even call the career Bronx Bomber, both sides are going to have to get creative to satisfy one another.
While his numbers don’t justify much more than $7-$8 million per season, Jeter’s worth to the team extends far beyond what he does on the baseball field. The 27-time world champions will have to tie in personal benefits galore, lots of incentives and other crafty methods to ensure that the deal gets done, but in the end it’s doubtful to think that these two would divorce from one another.
Prediction: New York Yankees
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If you have been following the Yankees young 2010 offseason, or have even just been keeping up with NY sports in general, you know there are basically only two topics worth discussing. The first and most obvious is how badly the Yanks want to get free agent pitcher Cliff Lee. That’s a no-brainer though and with Lee the Yankees will have an unstoppable rotation.
The other topic has been Derek Jeter. When will the front office fire an offer? How much will they give him? How long will the contract be? And most importantly, for how many more seasons will DJ be the Yankees starting shortstop?
So after yesterday, camp Jeter now has another argument to work with now that he’s locked down another Gold Glove. In my mind 2011 will be no different than any other year. Your boy is going to bat either No. 1 or No. 2, he’s going to be the starting SS and he will most certainly be twirling out commercials that make you want to do all things Jeter related.
If Jeter endorses it, I want it.
He’s got the touch, the golden ticket, and the sexiest fiancée on Earth. Give the man a lifetime deal. I never want this guy to go anywhere.
Jeter winning the Gold Glove has been garnering a lot of controversy these days. If you’re rating it simply on errors, fielding percentage and intangibles then Jeter winning this is a layup. He made six errors, had a .989 fielding percentage and still turned the double play ball as good as anyone in baseball.
However, others will argue his diminished range disabled him from getting to a lot of balls that might have relieved him of a number of errors as a result. Not to mention Cano and Tex, both easily the best defenders at their position in 2010 hands down, may have contributed to Jeter’s almost flawless season at short.
But numbers are numbers. Screw the intangibles, and forget all the theories. Jeter has an ageless Gold Glove that will never leave him. I’m talking about his skills at snagging, and grabbing some of the hottest babes walking the planet. So if they award Jeter a Gold Glove from now until he retires, it’s obviously because he’s receiving praise for catching some real “fireballs” in his day.
With that said, it will be interesting to see what Cashman and the Yankees front office decide to do when it comes time to offer him a contract.
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With Major League Baseball in its free agent infancy, it is time to start figuring out what the Yankees should do to retool for the 2011 season. With the free-agent market fairly weak after Cliff Lee and Carl Crawford, the Yankees will need to spend wisely.
They also enter the offseason with a few big questions. How much will they be willing to overpay for Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera? Will Andy Pettitte come back for one more season? If they do not sign Lee what does the rotation look like?
I had a terrible dream last night.
It was opening day, and the Yankees were visiting the American League champion Texas Rangers on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball.
Much to my dismay, Cliff Lee was making the start for the Rangers. I had a front-row seat, with Nolan Ryan to my left and Kristen Lee to my right. Each time Lee struck out a batter, his wife would spit on me, and Ryan would give me a Robin Ventura-style noogie headlock.
After Lee fanned the side on eight pitches (Mark Teixeira gave up after strike two), the Yankees took the field with free-agent lefty Plan B, Erik Bedard, on the mound. Bedard’s shoulder literally exploded during his first warm up toss. It was gross.
As he stumbled toward the dugout like a zombie from The Walking Dead, his replacement, Carl Pavano’s Mustache, was carried in from the bullpen. It immediately strained its buttocks.
At that point, rabid Rangers fans surrounded me, each with razor sharp claws for hands and antlers affixed to their skulls. Hank Steinbrenner put a cigarette out on my forehead, just because he can get like that sometimes.
Ron Washington approached and offered a speedball, the size of which would make Chris Farley blush. Understanding what life had become, and that things probably wouldn’t get better, I went to town on it. I died. I died right there in Ron Washington’s culpable arms.
End of dream.
I think what my subconscious is trying to tell me—besides the fact that I need psychological help—is that my favorite team really needs to sign Cliff Lee.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Brian Cashman was having similar night terrors. He looks at the Yankee rotation he assembled and sees a mountain of liabilities.
Andy Pettitte is 38 and in the midst of the will-he-or-won’t-he stage of his offseason. Phil Hughes won 18 games in 2010 and somehow still emerged a question mark. A.J. Burnett is the most expensive No. 5 starter in the history of the sport.
The only part of the equation that Cashman probably doesn’t worry about is CC Sabathia, who, for the record, a) turns 31 in July b) weighs 300 pounds c) just had knee surgery and d) has thrown 1,015 innings in the past four years.
Don’t get me wrong. I don’t think we’ve reached the point where you worry about Sabathia still being an elite pitcher. I’m just saying the big man could use a security blanket. After all, the playoffs made it exceedingly clear that having that second ace-level starter increases your odds for success immeasurably.
Look no further than the San Francisco Giants, who paired Tim Lincecum with Matt Cain and blew through the postseason to win it all.
The Yankees thought they had their version of Cain when they signed Burnett. They probably still hoped that was the case heading into 2010. But that’s all over now. It’s hard to imagine Burnett ever having a truly important role in a Yankee playoff series going forward.
Cashman already knows snagging Lee will cost north of $120 million. He’s also aware that he has $240 million in salary already promised just to Sabathia and Burnett. I’m sure there’s a part of him that is very wary about adding another monster salary to the rotation.
But part of the process of acquiring Lee is the admission that the Burnett signing was a failure. That takes some pride swallowing for Cash and the organization, especially since Burnett still has three (long) years remaining on his deal.
After Lee, the drop-off in the free-agent market is steep and stomach-turning. Hiroki Kuroda? Jake Westbrook? Um…Javier Vazquez? To stay a true contender, the only logical move is to acquire Lee to play Robin to Sabathia’s Batman.
Everyone wins in that situation: Sabathia wouldn’t feel the need to be perfect every time out, Cashman would regain favor amongst the fans, and Lee would be rich enough to buy a Pope-Mobile to protect his wife in New York. Best of all, the bad men in my head would finally go away.
Seriously, Cash. Make this happen.
Dan Hanzus writes three columns a week on his New York Yankees blog, River & Sunset. He can be reached at dhanzus@gmail.com. Follow Dan on Twitter @danhanzus.
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According to multiple reports, the New York Yankees (i.e. Brian Cashman) did not make an offer to free-agent pitcher Cliff Lee while meeting today with the free-agent lefty, his wife and agent Darek Braunecker at Lee’s Arkansas home.
That doesn’t mean today only served as a passive meet-and-greet. In fact, the Yankees, it seems, sent Lee a very clear message during their visit with Lee & Co.
According to Mike Silva’s New York Baseball Digest, Cashman told Lee to go through the free-agent process, talk with any team he chooses and then come back to the Yankees, at which point they will top any offer he receives.
Per Silva’s report, the Yankees would like to keep the deal to five years, but might include an option for a sixth year. The team is said to be willing to pay Lee a minimum of $25 million per season on any deal. And the money is just the beginning.
New York, reports Silva, is also believed to be willing to pay Lee’s New York state income tax (offsetting Texas‘ no state income tax advantage), give Lee an opt-out clause in the contract and provide him with a private jet to take he and his family to and from their Arkansas home in style.
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