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Yankees "on the brink" of getting Cliff Lee (1 Viewer)

Raider Nation

Raider Nation

Devil's Advocate
The Knicks didn't get LeBron James, but the Yankees were on the brink of obtaining Cliff Lee late last night for a package that would include top prospect Jesus Montero, the Post has learned.Yankees GM Brian Cashman and Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik have been in constant contact over the last week, but it was only last night that the Seattle GM told Yankee officials he wanted to move quickly, possibly before the All-Star break.

The Yanks were not assured of obtaining Lee since other clubs such as the Mets, Twins and Rangers were in talks. But the Yanks were definitely making the strongest move last night, coming from seeming disinterest into the clear front-runner and last night it seemed they were all but certain to obtain the 31-year-old lefty.

In an odd twist, Lee is scheduled to pitch against the Yankees tonight in Seattle. Lee is 8-3 with a 2.34 ERA and an amazing 89 strikeouts to just six walks. He beat the Yankees twice in the World Series last year, the only two games the Yankees lost in the Fall Classic.

In the offseason, the Yanks tried to make a deal with Philadelphia and offered Montero as the key piece. But the Phillies decided to take the Mariner offer instead.

However, Seattle's contention plans fizzled and Lee was put up for auction by the frustrated Mariners. The Mets were perceived to be more interested in the ace than the Yankees. But the Yankees adore Lee as a pitcher and had been planning to make a big push for him as a free agent anyway.

So they decided to stay engage on this matter even as the perception in the sport grew that the Twins were the frontrunners with perhaps the Rangers close behind.

Yankee management looked at its rotation and had some pause. CC Sabathia was again an ace and Andy Pettitte is pitching as well now as ever. But A.J. Burnett and Javier Vazquez are not fully trustworthy, especially for the playoffs, and Phil Hughes has an innings limit of about 175, and might not be available to start.

Cashman might now be in position to either put Hughes in the bullpen to bolster that shaky area or trade a starter, possibly Vazquez, for a few prospects. It was possible that injured Double-A second baseman David Adams also was part of the deal to Seattle since he is a player the Mariners like a great deal.

The Yanks also were obviously worried about being in a highly competitive division with the Red Sox and Rays, and Lee is the kind of player who can separate them. Having Sabathia and Lee - one-time Indians teammates - as a 1-2 punch atop the rotation turn the Yanks into even stronger favorites to repeat as champions.

The Yanks like Montero a great deal, but they were willing to use him as bait for both Lee and Roy Halladay in the offseason. They are deep in catching prospects and could never be sure that Montero could actually make it as a catcher in the majors since that is the suspect area of the game. He is considered one of the elite hitting prospects in the minors, though he was hitting just .253 with six homers and 34 RBIs this season at Triple-A.
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http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/yan...s&FEEDNAME=I'm torn here. My initial reaction was one of joy. Then I realized this is not good for baseball. Why stop at Lee? Let's trade for Mauer and Crawford and Jimenez too. If you can't have an All-Star at every position, what's the point? I'm starting to see why people hate the Yankees.

 
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Workhorse said:
STARTING? :hey:
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Yes. There was no valid reason to dislike the pinstripes before now. But this borders on obscene. What do you get for the best team in baseball??? The best left-hander in baseball. Why not! Oh well, once he takes the hill at The Stadium, I'm sure I'll get over it.Post-season:LeeSabathiaPettitte7th/8th - Hughes/Joba9th - RiveraTrade Vazquez and Burnett can mop up jizz in the locker room.
 
Raider Nation said:
The Knicks didn't get LeBron James, but the Yankees were on the brink of obtaining Cliff Lee late last night for a package that would include top prospect Jesus Montero, the Post has learned.Yankees GM Brian Cashman and Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik have been in constant contact over the last week, but it was only last night that the Seattle GM told Yankee officials he wanted to move quickly, possibly before the All-Star break.

The Yanks were not assured of obtaining Lee since other clubs such as the Mets, Twins and Rangers were in talks. But the Yanks were definitely making the strongest move last night, coming from seeming disinterest into the clear front-runner and last night it seemed they were all but certain to obtain the 31-year-old lefty.

In an odd twist, Lee is scheduled to pitch against the Yankees tonight in Seattle. Lee is 8-3 with a 2.34 ERA and an amazing 89 strikeouts to just six walks. He beat the Yankees twice in the World Series last year, the only two games the Yankees lost in the Fall Classic.

In the offseason, the Yanks tried to make a deal with Philadelphia and offered Montero as the key piece. But the Phillies decided to take the Mariner offer instead.

However, Seattle's contention plans fizzled and Lee was put up for auction by the frustrated Mariners. The Mets were perceived to be more interested in the ace than the Yankees. But the Yankees adore Lee as a pitcher and had been planning to make a big push for him as a free agent anyway.

So they decided to stay engage on this matter even as the perception in the sport grew that the Twins were the frontrunners with perhaps the Rangers close behind.

Yankee management looked at its rotation and had some pause. CC Sabathia was again an ace and Andy Pettitte is pitching as well now as ever. But A.J. Burnett and Javier Vazquez are not fully trustworthy, especially for the playoffs, and Phil Hughes has an innings limit of about 175, and might not be available to start.

Cashman might now be in position to either put Hughes in the bullpen to bolster that shaky area or trade a starter, possibly Vazquez, for a few prospects. It was possible that injured Double-A second baseman David Adams also was part of the deal to Seattle since he is a player the Mariners like a great deal.

The Yanks also were obviously worried about being in a highly competitive division with the Red Sox and Rays, and Lee is the kind of player who can separate them. Having Sabathia and Lee - one-time Indians teammates - as a 1-2 punch atop the rotation turn the Yanks into even stronger favorites to repeat as champions.

The Yanks like Montero a great deal, but they were willing to use him as bait for both Lee and Roy Halladay in the offseason. They are deep in catching prospects and could never be sure that Montero could actually make it as a catcher in the majors since that is the suspect area of the game. He is considered one of the elite hitting prospects in the minors, though he was hitting just .253 with six homers and 34 RBIs this season at Triple-A.
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[url=http://www.nypost.com/p/sports...m/p/sports/yankees/yan...s&FEEDNAME=[/urlhttp://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/yankees_on_brink_of_landing_cliff_b7oJw63k0cUXVdd02uuU1I?CMP=OTC-rss&FEEDNAME="http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/yankees/yan...s&FEEDNAME=[/url]I'm torn here. My initial reaction was one of joy. Then I realized this is not good for baseball. Why stop at Lee? Let's trade for Mauer and Crawford and Jimenez too. If you can't have an All-Star at every position, what's the point? I'm starting to see why people hate the Yankees.
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Are they getting him for cash and a bag of balls or are they trading legit prospects to rent him? Sounds like the latter...and if so...it's just sour grapes for the people complaining.
 
uhh, they would move Montero for him. Guy is a beast with the bat. Whoever asked if they are trading legit prospects, while quoting the article which describes them trading Montero, is clearly an informed fan...

 
C.C. Sabathia: 23M

A.J. Burnett: 16.5M

Andy Pettitte: 11.75M

Javier Vazquez:11.5M

Cliff Lee: 9M

Total: 70M

Number of teams with payrolls less than 70M: 9 (Toronto, Washington, Cleveland, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Oakland, San Diego, Pittsburgh)

 
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I like it. I don't think this is a move about getting him, its about blocking your competition from getting him. Right now, 3 of the big 5 previous contenders for him, (Twins, Rays, Rangers along with the Mets and Reds) are in the AL and one is a regional rival. All of them have had their window and their chance to make the move, and now the Yankees are getting aggressive with it. Lee is exactly the sort of person and player you spend those vast resources on.

I still don't believe they're getting him, wouldn't shock me if it wasn't a little gamesmanship from Cash to flirt hard, and have the M's hold him out of this series, but if it goes down, does he start the All Star Game as a yankee?

 
wilked said:
C.C. Sabathia: 23MA.J. Burnett: 16.5MAndy Pettitte: 11.75MJavier Vazquez:11.5MCliff Lee: 9MTotal: 70MNumber of teams with payrolls less than 70M: 9 (Toronto, Washington, Cleveland, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Oakland, San Diego, Pittsburgh)
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this
 
So now the Yankees shouldn't be able to trade prospects away? If this happens its because all of the other teams in the running were too scared to nut up to the table and offer up a better package, plain and simple. Romine and Montero are two very legit prospects who both are not needed. Those bringing a single penny into the argument are pretty funny.

 
Wrigley said:
harryhood said:
Wrigley said:
wilked said:
C.C. Sabathia: 23MA.J. Burnett: 16.5MAndy Pettitte: 11.75MJavier Vazquez:11.5MCliff Lee: 9MTotal: 70MNumber of teams with payrolls less than 70M: 9 (Toronto, Washington, Cleveland, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Oakland, San Diego, Pittsburgh)
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this
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Link to where NY is paying Lee's salary this year?
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I'll post it after he's traded
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TIANY Post also doing their best National Inq. impersonation by reporting a Javy for Werth deal as well.
 
wilked said:
C.C. Sabathia: 23M

A.J. Burnett: 16.5M

Andy Pettitte: 11.75M

Javier Vazquez:11.5M

Cliff Lee: 9M

Total: 70M

Number of teams with payrolls less than 70M: 9 (Toronto, Washington, Cleveland, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Oakland, San Diego, Pittsburgh)
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Shocking information, I tell you!
 
The rich get richer. The Yanks make so much money off the Yes Network that they can make hundreds of millions in mistakes in yearly contracts and still make money, pretty sick.

 
Wrigley said:
harryhood said:
Wrigley said:
wilked said:
C.C. Sabathia: 23MA.J. Burnett: 16.5MAndy Pettitte: 11.75MJavier Vazquez:11.5MCliff Lee: 9MTotal: 70MNumber of teams with payrolls less than 70M: 9 (Toronto, Washington, Cleveland, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Oakland, San Diego, Pittsburgh)
Click to expand...
this
Click to expand...
Link to where NY is paying Lee's salary this year?
Click to expand...
I'll post it after he's traded
Click to expand...
Lee in, Vasquez out, most likely. Plus, why not post Hughes' salary?
 
Matthias said:
harryhood said:
So now the Yankees shouldn't be able to trade prospects away? If this happens its because all of the other teams in the running were too scared to nut up to the table and offer up a better package, plain and simple. Romine and Montero are two very legit prospects who both are not needed. Those bringing a single penny into the argument are pretty funny.
Click to expand...
This was my initial reaction but I realized after a minute it's not the right one.It is different when the Yankees are trading prospects versus signing free agents. Any team, theoretically, could draft the right talent and then develop them and then have them available to trade to get a certain free agent. The Yankees don't have a special advantage here versus all the other clubs. They do, however, have an advantage on how much they need their best prospects. For a low budget team keeping their home grown talent is the only way that they'll have superstars for a period of time. The Yankees can, if they trade their prospects away, replace them off of the free market.

So the Yankees trading away prospects for Lee here isn't the same as them outbidding everyone and spending $X million for the star player that everyone knows is good. But it's not accurate to say that their payroll and revenues have absolutely nothing to do with it, either.
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Let's not forget that the Yankees are sending a solid 2B and C(DH) to the Mariners in this deal. With Cano, a cheap cervelli, and a better defensive catcher(Romine) waiting in the wings, what good does it do them to hold on to Adams and Montero?

 
wilked said:
uhh, they would move Montero for him. Guy is a beast with the bat. Whoever asked if they are trading legit prospects, while quoting the article which describes them trading Montero, is clearly an informed fan...
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His bat will find a way onto a big league roster next year, if not sooner.
 
Another good point I just saw on the Sons of Sam Horn board,

by trading for Lee now, they don't have to give up a draft pick to sign him, so the gamble is, in next years deep draft, you save a pick, and hope you address another organizational need other than catcher.

 
jeter23 said:
Wrigley said:
harryhood said:
Wrigley said:
wilked said:
C.C. Sabathia: 23MA.J. Burnett: 16.5MAndy Pettitte: 11.75MJavier Vazquez:11.5MCliff Lee: 9MTotal: 70MNumber of teams with payrolls less than 70M: 9 (Toronto, Washington, Cleveland, Arizona, Florida, Texas, Oakland, San Diego, Pittsburgh)
Click to expand...
this
Click to expand...
Link to where NY is paying Lee's salary this year?
Click to expand...
I'll post it after he's traded
Click to expand...
Lee in, Vasquez out, most likely. Plus, why not post Hughes' salary?
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Vasquez out? Is he going somewhere? If so, the Yanks will have to eat most of his contract.They have 4 players making more than the total payrolls of 22 other teams.Why do they need to add Lee? It's overkill
 
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Matthias said:
harryhood said:
So now the Yankees shouldn't be able to trade prospects away? If this happens its because all of the other teams in the running were too scared to nut up to the table and offer up a better package, plain and simple. Romine and Montero are two very legit prospects who both are not needed. Those bringing a single penny into the argument are pretty funny.
Click to expand...
They do, however, have an advantage on how much they need their best prospects. For a low budget team keeping their home grown talent is the only way that they'll have superstars for a period of time. The Yankees can, if they trade their prospects away, replace them off of the free market.
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Yep. The Rays can't afford to give up Hellickson, Davis, or Jennings because they can't replace them in the future with trades.
 
As a Reds fan I'd be disappointed, but I still think this would be good for baseball. Playoffs are a lot more interesesting when there is a definitive league villain.

 
shuke said:
As a Reds fan I'd be disappointed, but I still think this would be good for baseball. Playoffs are a lot more interesesting when there is a definitive league villain.
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Well, at least they didn't make the playoff in 08 :rolleyes:
 
Matthias said:
harryhood said:
So now the Yankees shouldn't be able to trade prospects away? If this happens its because all of the other teams in the running were too scared to nut up to the table and offer up a better package, plain and simple. Romine and Montero are two very legit prospects who both are not needed. Those bringing a single penny into the argument are pretty funny.
Click to expand...
This was my initial reaction but I realized after a minute it's not the right one.It is different when the Yankees are trading prospects versus signing free agents. Any team, theoretically, could draft the right talent and then develop them and then have them available to trade to get a certain free agent. The Yankees don't have a special advantage here versus all the other clubs. They do, however, have an advantage on how much they need their best prospects. For a low budget team keeping their home grown talent is the only way that they'll have superstars for a period of time. The Yankees can, if they trade their prospects away, replace them off of the free market.

So the Yankees trading away prospects for Lee here isn't the same as them outbidding everyone and spending $X million for the star player that everyone knows is good. But it's not accurate to say that their payroll and revenues have absolutely nothing to do with it, either.
Click to expand...
Yeah, and the Yankees signed catcher Gary Sanchez from the Dominican Republic last year for about $3 million. So, Yankees can get prospects just by writing a check too.
 
shuke said:
As a Reds fan I'd be disappointed, but I still think this would be good for baseball. Playoffs are a lot more interesesting when there is a definitive league villain.
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Baseball is also pleased when the villian is 20% of the business.The NFL also really likes the hated Cowboys.
 
I was hoping the Twins would get Lee. Well you can give the Central title to the Tigers. Start printing the T-shirts Detroit

 
Smack Tripper said:
Another good point I just saw on the Sons of Sam Horn board,by trading for Lee now, they don't have to give up a draft pick to sign him, so the gamble is, in next years deep draft, you save a pick, and hope you address another organizational need other than catcher.
Click to expand...
This would be a valid point, except they are signing Crawford anyway, so are already surrendering that pick
 
Its not like the Yankees need the prospects anyways, they buy everyone and anyone. I would trade their future away from a 2 month rent as well.

 
wilked said:
Smack Tripper said:
Another good point I just saw on the Sons of Sam Horn board,by trading for Lee now, they don't have to give up a draft pick to sign him, so the gamble is, in next years deep draft, you save a pick, and hope you address another organizational need other than catcher.
Click to expand...
This would be a valid point, except they are signing Crawford anyway, so are already surrendering that pick
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Don't hold your breath on that one. I think they're more likely to go worth, they need righty sock rather than a 30 year old who relies on his legs. Gardner's emergence has probably taken the emphasis off CC.
 
Francessa: Adams' physical issues and another team has come in and topped the MFY's offer. Lee deal is off and negotiations are OFF.

 
Now it's being reported that the deal had fallen through. Injury concerns with the Yanks 2B prospect. Also being reported that a different team has come through with a more enticing offer. I don't have a link.

 
Complete overkill. If I was a Yankees fan I would start cheering for the Mets or something. Taking the fun out of the game. I think Cliff Lee is a top 3 pitcher. He's just amazing. I would take him over Halladay going forward in a heartbeat. Just complete overkill here. I would feel guilty about raising another banner.

Just not sure how things go down after winning the World Series as a Yankee. "Lotta hard work boys but we battled and scrapped and made it happen". Probably lots of awkwardness.

 
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