According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees inquired about Cliff Lee, but were told by Mark Shapiro and Co. that they would have to “surrender Joba or Hughes plus more.” Now, I like Cliff Lee, however, the Yankees can’t trade Joba or Hughes because it would be counterproductive to their cause. The whole reason they’re looking for another arm, like Lee’s, is because they have lost Wang for an indefinite period and chose to go with Hughes in the bullpen—a move that helps their bullpen, but hurts their rotation depth. Such a trade would actually hurt the Yankees this season, rather than help them (it’s not happening). The same can be said if they try to trade for Roy Halladay. Currently, with Wang out, possibly until next year, they need all the arms they can get, and that includes Hughes and Joba. The severity of Wang’s injury makes them bulletproof.
In the end, the Indians will ask for the moon and stars for Lee—that’s what a team does when trading a valuable pitcher. But, unless they’re willing to accept a package built on the backs of minor-leaguers like Austin Jackson, then I doubt that they’ll be trading Cliff Lee to the Yankees anytime soon.
(props to MLBTR)
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6 Responses to No thanks, Cleveland…
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TIQ IQ
Just read this somewhere else and came here to talk about it… What a snow job Hugh or Joba for 32 year old Cliff Lee? Basically the Indians want a Halladay deal with one less prospect for Lee who is no where near one of the best pitchers in the league. I guarantee they are running up the price because we have CC and they don’t anymore.
Let me also add boooo don’t trade Montero or Jackson both will start for the Yanks for years.
Agreed!
I’s gladly give up Jackson for a top Lefty like Lee, OF’ers are a dime a odzen, especially with limited power and lot’s of strike outs..Pettitte is done and the new Stadium (like the old) will be very friendly to Left handed pitchers.
It’s difficult to win a WS and adding Lee would be enough to win this year and probably the next few while the youngsters develop.
The last thing to come with any player is power and he has the stroke to become a right handed Curtis Granderson he is worth holding on to. What makes Lee great? The one year you watched him pitch last year? Because the season before that he had gotten sent down to the minors for ineffectiveness and rocked a 6.29 ERA, a 4.40 ERA and a 5.4 ERA and I don’t expect his numbers to be all that great in Yankee stadium under pressure he has never faced in Cleveland. I will pass especially when you can get a guy like Washburn for one or two low level prospects and the move be just as effective.
Lee has been great this year, too. He has the talent and was a Cy Young contender in what, 2006? He’s worth some quality players, but he’s not worth one of Montero, Hughes, Joba, that’s for sure.