Joel Sherman, who originally reported the Cliff Lee for Jesus Montero, David Adams, and Zach McAllister deal, is now reporting that the deal may be off. Via Sherman’s Twitter (at 3:44)
#Mariners have turned in a different direction and #Yankees do not believe they are in it now (more to come)
3:45 PM: update from Joel Sherman
To repeat the #Yankees aren’t getting Cliff Lee, #Mariners concerned about David Adams ankle plus apparently another team has jumped in hard
I find it hard to believe that Adams’s health would cause the Mariners to turn down a deal including Montero, who’s likely the best centerpiece they will get in a deal. Either another team raised their offer (as Sherman seems to think), or else the Mariners are trying to raise their price and get the Yanks to give up better prospects. The Yankees should hold steady with their offer, as I think including Montero already makes it a great deal for Seattle. I have speculations that maybe the Yankees decided they wanted a negotiating window for an extension, but Seattle would not give it (at least not at the current price).
4:06 PM: Sherman thinks the Rangers are the mystery team.
Hearing #Rangers are working really hard on #Lee now. Tricky because of finances with team sale not complete and MLB-imposed budget
The Rangers do have the prospects to get a Lee deal done. A few guys who would interest Seattle include AA LHP Martin Perez, 1b Justin Smoak, AA RHP Tanner Scheppers, or closer Neftali Feliz. Smoak could be replaced by Chris Davis, and Scheppers could probably fill in for Feliz if he is dealt. Rising outfield prospect Engel Beltre could also be an intirguing trade piece (h/t Stephen). One interesting aspect of a potential Lee acquisition for Texas is their financial troubles (as Sherman mentioned). This would mean that Seattle may need to pay some of Lee’s salary, but more importantly, means that the chances of the Rangers signing Lee to an extension are virtually nil.
4:12 PM: Frankie Piliere confirms the Rangers’ involvement in the negotiations.
4:17 PM: From YES Network’s Jack Curry
Just spoke to Yankee official who confirmed that they aren’t getting Lee. “Sometimes, these things just don’t get done,” he said.
4:56 PM: from Joel Sherman
i have learned deal done with #Rangers, Smoak and 3 others for Lee and reliever Mark Lowe #Rangers, #Mariners
The inclusion of Smoak makes this a good deal for Seattle, as he is on a similar level of value with a higher floor than Montero (though I think Montero, as a possible catcher, has more upside). The identity of the other 3 prospects are from Texas determines whether this is a heist for the Mariners, or if the Yankee offer was better. I will be ecstatic if this goes through, because Texas has no chance to resign Lee, and I still think the Yankees are a significantly better team this year.
I will update this post as more news arises.
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11 Responses to Lee deal off?
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TIQ IQ
Insane. I’m not so sure that Jack Z knows what he’s doing.
Better prospects!?!?! Who do they want? Jeter and A-Rod? I’m happy to pass. Let him go to Texas, they’ll need more than Lee to get by us.
Texas has a very deep system, so it makes sense for the Mariners to be interested in what they are offering. I still find it hard to believe that the Rangers would deal Smoak (their only hitting prospect on the same level as Montero).
Did the Yankees force out the Bosox and/or the Twins with a pre-emptive strike? Interesting strategy by Ca$hman if so. If it is the Rangers, that isn’t too bad as I don’t see that team as nearly the threat with Lee as some others would have been.
Phew, thanks goodness. Having Lee would have been overkill and borderline ridiculous. Go Yankees!
This was a bush league move by the Mariners. End of the day, we’re better than Texas and we keep Montero, and we sign Lee in December, but I’m still annoyed by this. Bad business.
To tell you the truth, I was all for Lee but seeing that they didnt and actually looking at it in depth, I’m very glad yanks didnt make trade! Hooray for keeping Montero. But we will get lee anyway at Free Agency so we really are in a win-win situation! Rangers wont make it past ALDS anyway so who cares!
Completely, 100% agree with you. Took the words out of my mind. The only thing I was going to say that you didn’t do, is that this way, we also get to keep Javy. I know he had a bad start, but he’s getting better and better, and soon Hughes will be shipped to the bullpen, so Javy’s role will be much more important.
Like you said: we’ll get Lee in November or December anyway…
Also, come December you can be happy about one of two things:
(1) If Cliff Lee signs with another team, you still have Jesus Montero and he wasn’t wasted on what amounted to a half-season rental (since Lee didn’t end up signing with the Yankees).
or
(2) You just signed Cliff Lee for the next couple of years
Sometimes the best deals are the ones you don’t make.
I like it–overpaying for a rental has never been my idea of sound thinking. I think Lee has become a little overrated after his big postseason last year. Not saying he’s not a terrific pitcher, but he’s not as good as a lot of people are making him out to be.