M's Close to Dealing Lee?

Talk is beginning to grow that the Mariners may be close to trading SP Cliff Lee.

Lee is pitching in Yankee Stadium tonight against the Yankees in what very well may be his last start as a Mariner. FOX Sport's Ken Rosenthal believes there is no "leader" or "favorite" as of right now, but lists the possibilities of where he may land and for who. Meanwhile, Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times believes that the Mets are the favorites to land Lee because despite not having as much talent as say, a Jesus Montero or Wilson Ramos at Catcher, they have people they can offer who are more likely to make an impact next season, if not this season.

Let's take a look at some of the team's and what they have to offer:

Minnesota Twins: Catching prospect Wilson Ramos would most definitely be the center-piece of the deal. The issue with Ramos is he doesn't appear anywhere close to ready for the big leagues. So far in 2010 at the AAA level, Ramos is batting a .218 AVG with only 4 home runs and 18 RBIs through 47 games. Despite those low numbers, he is still a huge prospect -- but do the Twins want to give up that, or have Mauer and Ramos split C/DH down the road?

New York Yankees: While the Yankees haven't been included too much in the rumors for Lee, Lee could actually make sense for the Yankees. They would be expected to make a big bid for Lee in Free Agency, and be afraid of another team negotiating a long-term deal with Cliff. Lee has also produced well in the American League where he earned a Cy Young Award, and they have a great catching prospect in Jesus Montero.

New York Mets: The Mets are on the prowl and sniffing at the division. They have a deep farm system and have the ability to trade "ready" talent for Lee. While the Mets are unwilling to part with Niese or Davis, they have prospects like Holt, Mejia, Thole, Parnell, and Martinez to pull off a deal. Acquiring Lee would give them a solid chance at not only the Wild Card, but also the division. Mets could also part with a package of Thole and Pagan, who would immediately be SOMEWHAT of an upgrade for the Mariners at both Catcher and Left Field.

Cincinnati Reds: While I haven't heard any specific names tossed around, the Reds definitely have the depth in their minor leagues to acquire Lee, sign-him to a long-term deal, and have Lee, Volquez, Chapman and Cueto down the road. The issue with the Reds is actually a matter of Payroll due to a lack of attendance.

Texas Rangers: The Rangers appear to be a long-shot at this point. They basically have lost stride in acquiring Oswalt and Ken Rosenthal says that unless they are bought by July 31st, they aren't going to be able to acquire Lee. And I don't think the Rangers have 'till July 31st to get Lee.


Either way, since Lee is most likely a 3-month rental at this point in the season, his trade value is much less than the previous two trades involving the Indians, Phillies and Mariners.


Where do you think he will end up and for what kind of package?

Ramos is nowhere close to ML ready? Ken Rosenthal is obviously clueless. In all honesty though, I'd rather pay less or the same amount for a guy like Haren.

I think the guy is two years away from being a solid starter. I understand he is in AAA and maybe he'll start next season phenomenally and be promoted in May, but his numbers in AAA so far this year seem to hint he's a step behind what many thought.

Either way, I'm starting to hear more that the Twins want to keep Ramos.

Here's a few more articles and blogs from the day regarding Lee:

The Mariners will require a blue-chip prospect in a Cliff Lee trade, reports Joel Sherman of the New York Post, even though the last two Lee trades may not have included one. Sherman suggests the Mets want Lee badly, while the Yankees would just like the Ms to "keep them posted."

Sherman explains that the Mariners like, but don't love, Mets pitching prospect Jenrry Mejia. He feels that a Mets trade would have to be built around Mejia or Wilmer Flores. The Mets are willing to trade Flores in a Lee deal, reports Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog. They're reluctant to part with other top prospects. The Mets would like to trade for a starting pitcher as soon as possible, but Cerrone says the Mariners prefer to wait until after the All-Star break to trade Lee.

From the Yankees side, Sherman recommends they make Jesus Montero available. They've done so before when Lee and Roy Halladay were on the trade market. Sherman also notes that the Mariners like Yankees Double A second baseman David Adams. Baseball America ranked Adams 22nd among Yankees prospects heading into the season, and he sports a .309/.393/.507 line at Trenton. Should the Yanks prefer to pursue Lee as a free agent, Bill Madden of the New York Daily News learned that old friend C.C. Sabathia would be happy to help recruit.

In a longer blog post, Sherman elaborates on what Lee would mean for the Mets, what the Mariners will require, and how prospects are overvalued these days.

MetsBlog.com – Buzz: The Mets are in a Tough Spot with M’s and Lee -- Centered around the Mets but also gives a view of the other teams involved.

A Look At Wilmer Flores: MLB Rumors - MLBTradeRumors.com -- Mets prospect who could be a big part of a possible trade involving Lee.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...ly_expect.html

Yeah, the more and more the talks continue to happen, I don't see the Twins giving up whats needed for a 3 month rental. Not how the Twins approach things.