| By Jason A. Churchill |  | By 06-30-2010 |
Prospect Insider has learned Wednesday that the clubs scouting Cliff Lee at Yankees Stadium Tuesday were the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees themselves.
One source, a personnel executive of a non-contending club that is not in on the Lee rumors or speculation, says that the Yankees are in on the ace lefty, despite the media reports that say they want no part in trading top prospects for a rental.
The thought that the Yankees are serious bidders for Lee opens up the outside possibility that Lee and agent Derek Braunecker may be willing to consider signing a pre-trade extension that assures the Yankees that they wouldn't be dealing such premium talent for two or three months of Lee.
PI has also learned, however, that talks are not as far along as they'd need to be if Lee is going to be dealt before his next start on Sunday in Detroit.
Something could certainly come together quicker than usual, but this may be a sign that more teams than have been reported are showing interest, and that a three-team scenario may be in the works.
I'm also told that the general consensus is that there "really is no frontrunner or favorite" to land Lee right now and that Seattle will indeed seriously consider keeping him if they can't find what they want on the trade market.
fresh-news-on-cliff-lee-front
Comments
The following 60 comment(s) for this article are shown below:
| 1. By: d2ret on 06-30-2010 15:31:23 God I love Jackie Z for how he is playing this. Pay close attention peeps, this is how to play poker. Not so OT Jason..how do you rate Sano from MIN as a piece in a pottential deal? Not enough pro experiece to say as of yet, or do you have good scouting on him? |
| 2. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-30-2010 15:32:40 He's apparently very good, but so far away, I'm not sure he even comes up in conversation. |
| 3. By: Edman on 06-30-2010 15:39:52 I don't really see Jack trading Lee any sooner than a few days before the trading deadline. He's going to need a deal that blows him away. I'm not sure any team is that desparate right now. Maybe LA, who are three games back, right now, or possibly Tampa Bay, if they feel they need Cliff Lee to catch Boston and New York. And, I do think Jack is content with getting two draft picks next year, rather than accept AA talent. I would want a blue chip prospect to get me to listen, at this point. |
| 4. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-30-2010 15:44:13 I think we're all with ya, Edman, and I think Jack is, too. |
| 5. By: rocketdawg31 on 06-30-2010 16:40:35 Even just a week ago, Edman, I might have disagreed regarding trading Lee a few days before the deadline. But I think you've been on the right track on that. These deals take awhile to consummate and Z can't force the market to show up in force sooner than what it does. |
| 6. By: littlelinny6 on 06-30-2010 16:46:07 Plus another thing to consider the M's would be trading 2 months of Lee + 2 draft picks. Thus I think the value of return has to exceed that as well because the receiving team will get a nice parting gift in the way of draft picks if they don't sign him. |
| 7. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-30-2010 16:54:46 Let's not confuse what might happen with what the M's are clearly trying to do, and that's move Lee while he has more time left in the season to help the other team. Clubs view an extra month as a pretty large difference -- it's 50 percent longer giving the club as many as six more starts -- that is a significant difference. Start July 1, Lee's true value actually goes down no matter how well he pitches. So it's certainly ideal for it get right up to the deadline. Times have changed in the game and this is one of those big differences that teams are big on. |
| 8. By: Juan Valdez on 06-30-2010 17:39:46 I guess Gammons is reporting that the Reds are really interested in Lee. |
| 9. By: rotoenquire on 06-30-2010 17:59:43 The Phillies were(according to some reports) Scouting Lopez to take over at 2B. The Phil's have a couple kids at Dble A that look good to me. M. Rizzotti 1B a Power hitting Left handed 1B V. Worley a SO Starting Pitcher. I think the Mets would be the best fit overall in regards to Lee. Some name that pop out at me with them and would be most likely the easiest to get are. D. Owen a right handed SP D. Murphy plays 1B/3B/OF and has major league experience. E. Niesen a solid Left handed SP E. Campbell A power hittign 3B K. Nieuwenhuis Plays a solid CF and hits for power and AVG. W. Flores the highly regarded SS Z has shown he will toss in prospects he is not high on to finish a deal. Could be a solid haul in both accounts and make 2012's team be a solid up and commer.. |
| 10. By: Edman on 06-30-2010 18:01:23 Juan, I suspect that's true. As the Reds found out in their series against the Mariners, great hitting teams have a hard time beating up good pitchers. They can beat the hell out of mediocre to bad pitching. To be honest, the Reds pitching staff wasn't that scary, as opposed to other's I've seen this year. And, certainly not going to last in a World Series bid, IMHO. |
| 11. By: rotoenquire on 06-30-2010 18:02:36 Not saying he would get all those off the Mets but some combination of 2-3 from that list and what Z deems fit would be geart!! |
| 12. By: Edman on 06-30-2010 18:03:18 #9, to be fair, Baker speculated that they were scouting Lopez. |
| 13. By: rotoenquire on 06-30-2010 18:09:21 Sports Radio and ESPN Radio both had Multiple people on today saying that the Phils were looking at Lopez... |
| 14. By: StandinPat on 06-30-2010 18:11:01 Pull......The............Trigger |
| 15. By: rjfrik on 06-30-2010 18:29:28 Please Please make us an offer on Lopez. It could be the perfect storm to trade him to the Phillies as both Utley and Polanco look like they could be lost for a very significant amount of time. Polanco most likely for the year and I read the Phillies really didn't like the MRI report that came back on Utley. Go get him Philly. On a side note, his bat could play nice in that park. On another side note, does anyone else think if Branyan was in the lineup since day one that we would be around a .500 ball club? Sure nice to see a big stick coming up in the middle of that order and not "Lopez" |
| 16. By: StandinPat on 06-30-2010 18:39:06 I think simply a league average bat at 1B and DH and the M's are a .500 ballclub. Also, Jose Lopez has been worth 0.1 Wins in 316 Pa's this year, in 2009 Jack Hannahan was worth 1.0 wins in 301. In other words AAAA player that can easily be passed through waivers > Lopez... |
| 17. By: Hackinator on 06-30-2010 19:02:43 I was at the game last night and enjoyed every minute of it ....lots of trash talking early ...not so much later . |
| 18. By: rjfrik on 06-30-2010 19:05:16 Was reading the Mets would be willing to give up Flores, Havens and another high OF prospect....Could it be F-Mart? If I'm Z that's the trade I demand, If we have to throw in minor league fodder, then do it. |
| 19. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-30-2010 19:33:06 The Phillies were NOT scouting Lopez. That I know for sure. The Reds can't get Lee without trading Alonso and then some, or starting off with Votto. They don't have a deep system, and after Alonso, who is no Justin Smoak or anything, and Chapman, who is not going to be traded for a rental, they don't have impact players. |
| 20. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-30-2010 19:37:16 Not sure I'd even do Flores, Havens+ unless the plus is something that headlines the deal. Flores is a good future bat, but if Jack is looking for near-ready help, the Mets don't have it unless they strip their 25-man of at least one player... and Pagan isn't nearly enough. |
| 21. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-30-2010 19:39:21 Also, on Lopez... The Phillies aren't going to make any attempt to acquire an infielder until they know how long Utley and/or Polanco will be out. It's not likely that Utley is out super long, so the 2B thing with Lopez+Philly makes zero sense. 3B might, since Polanco's issue has been lingering, but again, I know for fact they were not scouting Lopez Tuesday night. Their scout was charting and scouting Lee. |
| 22. By: Blowgun7 on 06-30-2010 19:53:15 Jason, I'm a bit confused. You said in your writeup the other day that Flores would/should be untouchable. Now you don't think Flores, Havens, and some toss-ins wouldn't be enough. Are we seriously going to turn down Top 30 or Top 20 prospects just because they are more than a year away? That seems dumb to me. Like would we turn down Shelby Miller, a Top 20 prospect, just because the rest of the package doesn't offer enough immediate help? |
| 23. By: kyle_mahlstedt on 06-30-2010 20:03:31 Jason, I knew the Reds would come calling for Cliff Lee! Maybe Lopez and Lee for Alfonso and Phillips? |
| 24. By: southpaw360 on 06-30-2010 20:20:07 Are the Phillies interested in trading for Lee again? That would give Jack Z some extra ammo to demand more from all teams involved. I'm loving this! |
| 25. By: StandinPat on 06-30-2010 20:21:55 #23 Yikes! Alfonso hasn't shown he'd be any better than a league average 1B, and Phillips is having a career year based on an unsustainable BABIP. Over his career he's been a slightly above average bat, with a real nice glove, but a move to the AL and safeco most likely renders him below avg at the plate, above with the glove which isn't nearly worth the $23 mil he's gonna be owed in 2011-12. If you want him that badly you can prob net him for a B level spec in the offseason. |
| 26. By: Blowgun7 on 06-30-2010 20:33:40 Man, Saunders is a boat full of power this year. He's slugging the heck out of the ball. Not doing much else in the other ABs, haha, but when he gets hit they are going for extra bases every time. |
| 27. By: rjfrik on 06-30-2010 20:49:05 Jason, if that other prospect was F-Mart you still would want more? I know F-Mart is not tearing up AAA but hes very young for that league and I think, IF, he could stay healthy he could be a very valuable weapon on the M's for the future. |
| 28. By: rjfrik on 06-30-2010 20:50:05 Blow, Everyone is hitting em out tonight. The MUSCLE is rubbing off on the team it looks like. It's nice to have him back. |
| 29. By: ag29588 on 06-30-2010 21:10:09 Mets= Flores,Havens &F Mart would do it and they need it. |
| 30. By: kyle_mahlstedt on 06-30-2010 21:56:10 Wilson Ramos, Jose Mijares, Trevor Plouffe and Brian Duensing should get a Cliff Lee/David Aardsma trade done... I just don't know if the Twins would want to do that. |
| 31. By: southpaw360 on 06-30-2010 22:04:32 That is not even close to being fair value in my opinion. |
| 32. By: d2ret on 06-30-2010 22:32:24 The speculative anticipation is killing me with this trade. I'm going to climb under a rock for two weeks. Yeah, that'll be awsome.. |
| 33. By: greymstreet on 06-30-2010 23:19:45 Why do the Phillies need to scout Cliff Lee? |
| 34. By: Juan Valdez on 06-30-2010 23:35:20 When the Reds came up earlier today, I took a look at Yonder Alonso's stats and was underwhelmed. |
| 35. By: baseballman on 06-30-2010 23:55:18 JAC, just saw Keith Laws updated top 25 list. What do you think of it? you like where he ranks the Ms prospects? |
| 36. By: dewey on 07-01-2010 00:44:28 Kerfeld lives in washington doesnt he? Also he worked for Gillick when they signed Lopez and he was the Scout that recomended Lee to the Phillies do we raelly think he can scout at all? Our is he there just to see if he thinks there healthy? I have friends that know this guy and say if he shows the Phillies our in some way our another if not he hangs at the house fishing and drinking beer ! Any one else hear this? |
| 37. By: slick on 07-01-2010 01:17:47 I think Flores could highlight a package by the mets if Jack wants to get a third team involved. Maybe something like Flores Thole and Familia. M's keep Flores and move Thole and Familia with another M's prospect Martinez/Mangini/French and target the Royals roster Gordan/Callaspo + bullpen arm I think something like this senario seems plausable. You can help the team this year and next and get a blue chip prospect. |
| 38. By: Jason A. Churchill on 07-01-2010 01:24:45 baseballman, Pretty much. Keith has more contacts than I do and has seen more of these guys himself, so I certainly defer to him. I probably would have had Jacob Turner in the Top 25 and maybe Wilmer Flores, too. Flores (NYM), is 18 until August and hit .278/.342/.433 in the Sally League and is now tearing up the Fla. State League, a pitcher's circuit, by going 15-for-32 in his first seven games. I also think Wallace is a bit too high. Not enamored with him, really. Good, safe bat, but limited defensively and is striking out a lot this year without the walk as the equalizer. He's a top 25 guy, though, especially with no split problems to speak of. And I like Lars Anderson enough to maybe sneak him in, too. After a horrible start in AAA after lighting up AA, he's hitting 375 with a 514 slugging in his past 10 games. He's good, I think I'd like him over Wallace if he was showing anything versus left-handers. I think the only few guys I might have a better radar for than Law is Pineda and Ackley, and I guess that's why he asked me for a line on Pineda he could use for that list. |
| 39. By: Jason A. Churchill on 07-01-2010 01:26:41 Again, unless you blow them away, Kila and Gordon are not going anywhere. I know it would make some sense in most worlds, but neither player is readily available. Neither player is blocked. KC just went with veterans and Butler over Kila at 1B -- when they move Butler to DH permanently, Kila will get an extended look. |
| 40. By: dewey on 07-01-2010 01:37:57 Gillick and Kerfeld sound better then Armstrong and Jack Z to me! I like the way that sounds Gillick was the best we ever had and this is his protege! Get it done! |
| 41. By: Jason A. Churchill on 07-01-2010 01:51:17 I think Kerfeld might be best served working under Jack and taking over when he bolts. Zduriencik is going nowhere anytime soon. |
| 42. By: slick on 07-01-2010 01:56:58 I was thinking more of Callapso over the others can play 2nd/3rd switch hits could DH against lefties for thats where all his power is could give a nice cheap option and hedge against injuries that might occur and give some insurance if we were to trade Lopez at the deadline or after the season. Also can Mike Mastokas (sp?) play third or is he OF. That guy is killing AA I would have to think he might be up this time next year. |
| 43. By: Jason A. Churchill on 07-01-2010 02:05:50 Moustakas... last word was that he probably can't play third at an average level. Might be a 1B. |
| 44. By: shortstop9 on 07-01-2010 10:38:55 I think the best 2 deals are with Minn.combination of 3 Ramos-Revere or Hicks--Sano or Valencia. Mets- Flores- Pagan or Matinez- Havens or the guy playing 2b now (forgot his name). |
| 45. By: jgstecker on 07-01-2010 11:01:03 It's going to be a Jesus Montero package from NY. And it's going to happen very soon. I can feel it. |
| 46. By: Jason A. Churchill on 07-01-2010 11:16:28 No chance Hicks and Sano go in the same deal for a rental. ZERO. |
| 47. By: Edman on 07-01-2010 11:25:42 Guys, we have a month to deal with this. Jack might deal earlier than that, but he likely may not. We can all dream about what kind of return Lee will yield, but history has taught me that speculation is often wrong. I'm just going to enjoy him while he's here, and try not to get caught up in the speculation. Often times, it starts with over-enthusiastic fans (and beat writers) speculating, then suddenly it gets teeth. The Baker article is a perfect example. He never said that the Phillies were scouting Lopez, but wondered if they might be. Suddenly, he becomes a "source". About the only thing I am enjoying is all the writers who put themselves and their opinions in the spotlight. Especially the New York writers, who believe that the baseball world revolves around that city. |
| 48. By: Blowgun7 on 07-01-2010 11:56:40 I find these packages uninspiring. Jason, what's up with Mejia? How bad is that shoulder issue? Would you stay away from him if you were Jack Z.? |
| 49. By: PositivePaul on 07-01-2010 12:39:28 Dewey... I'd LOVE the thought of Gillick & Kerfy as replacing the Scott Farkus/Grover Dill combo of Lincoln/Armstrong. I'd hope they'd drop beer prices at Safeco, though. Say what you want about Gillick (and I personally don't think he destroyed the farm system as much as people want to say he did) he knows how to build a winner. And Kerfy will always be my hero for giving George Sherrill his first shot at MLB :-) |
| 50. By: Juan Valdez on 07-01-2010 12:47:52 Jason - is Jesus Montero pretty much limited to 1B or DH, or would it be possible to turn him into an outfielder? |
| 51. By: randallball on 07-01-2010 13:32:02 Utley out for 6-8 with thumb surgery. |
| 52. By: CovingtonHawk on 07-01-2010 13:40:03 It seems to me that Texas is a very viable trade partner that is not listed as often as they might should be. I don't think there is much to the whole "don't trad in the division" stuff. If we are trading Lee, we have determined our game plan is not this year. At the end of the year, Lee is a FA. He can sign with Texas or anyone else. If Texas has the best package to offer, wouldn't the M's take it? Go M's!!! |
| 53. By: FelixElRey on 07-01-2010 14:00:57 I think it's the Rangers that may balk at a trade within the division, because they are the ones that will have to watch their prospects flourish against them 19 times a year. They have the difficult decision of weighing that against a postseason run. I, personally, think it's worth it for them, but they may also think that they don't need such a huge piece like Lee to put them over the hump as they are already confident with what they have for the most part. I don't think Jack Z would/should make any distinction between the Rangers and any other club vying for Lee's services the rest of the way out. |
| 54. By: FWBrodie on 07-01-2010 15:15:22 I agree. Considering Texas' history, the fact that they have an incredible offense and a great shot at the division, you'd think they'd be dying to cash in some of their talent for a serious playoff boost. |
| 55. By: DRWheelock on 07-01-2010 18:12:05 JUST REPORTED: Utley having thumb surgery out until September! Philly's will have to get someone, and one option is Lopez for a reasonable cost and one that they can decline his 2011 option this offseason when Utley is back |
| 56. By: randallball on 07-01-2010 18:27:33 51. By: randallball on 07-01-2010 13:32:02 Utley out for 6-8 with thumb surgery. |
| 57. By: rocketdawg31 on 07-01-2010 21:00:38 Considering Texas' history... Key statement right there. The Rangers, if they're willing to dip into that incredibly-stocked system? They could change their status as one of the few teams to NEVER make a World Series. And they could use the revenue boost of a playoff season as much as any team in baseball. Which poses the intriguing question: In truth, can they afford not to trade for Cliff Lee? They have enough offense to scare anybody, including the Yankees. We all know this. All they need is scarier pitching that isn't injured. Lee and Aardsma certainly could help their staff considerably in that regard. Nolan Ryan's head has got to be spinning with all the possibilities at hand... |
| 58. By: shutoutzilla on 07-02-2010 15:22:32 Jack Z is going to trade Lee ASAP because his value is at his highest after that amazing performance in front of New York. Jack Z will ask for Jesus Montero and Jobba Chamberlain or one of the Yankee's pitchers if he knows Lee is going to sign an extension with the Yankees once he gets traded. Lee had dinner with C.C. Sabbathia in NY on Monday before the series with Seattle began and all C.C. said was how great the Yankees and NY are and Lee wants to be in the spotlight. Trading Lee to the Rangers would probably lead the Rangers to their first WS title and then he would probably resign with them in the off-season since he won a title with them and so we would have to put up with Lee and the defending WS champions for another decade in the division. Jack Z will not trade within the division because it is too risky, unless he gets the BEST players possible. If Lee does not sign an extension with the Yankees, I clearly doubt he will resign with the Mariners because the Mariners are paying Ichiro and Felix and will have other free agent needs like a hitter, possibly a catcher if we do not get one via Lee, a Washburn, etc. Lee likes it in Seattle but he told Jack Z he wants to play on a championship contender and the Mariners are a catcher, an infielder, a couple of pitchers, a closer, and a possible outfielder away from that. Jack's years are already numbered as is Wakamatsu's so Lee wanting to sign with the Yankees pre-trade is the best thing for the Mariners because we will DEFINITELY get their best prospect catcher and/ or fielder or pitcher. |
| 59. By: FWBrodie on 07-02-2010 19:26:15 Come on man... The Rangers are gonna extend Lee? Get out of here. If you insist on talking that much go inform yourself a little bit. Your credibility falls further into the negative with each sentence that stumbles off your keyboard. |
| 60. By: rocketdawg31 on 07-03-2010 17:25:36 Gahhhh. Shutoutzilla, I'm afraid a lot of your scintillating facts are common knowledge. And your conclusions and analysis from those facts are way off. I'm cool with you feeling you have so much to say, and I'm one of the leaders on this site in terms of long, LONG posts...but if you'd be willing? Please break up your thoughts/posts into basic paragraph form, they're so much easier to read that way. Nothing- repeat, nothing- is anything close to "definite" regarding the Cliff Lee situation. Not even him being traded at all. And guys like the Mets' Omar Minaya's days may indeed be tenuous in their current job, but to say Zduriencik/Wakamatsu's days are numbered is highly suspect conjecture. |
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