Indians Contemplating Trading Cliff Lee to The Rays
by Matt Buggenhagen on Jul 23, 2009 10:44 AM EDT
2 comments
The Cleveland Indians and Tampa Bay Rays have been discussing a deal that would send Indians left-hander Cliff Lee to the Rays for prospects, this according to John Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com
However, as Morosi notes the two have engaged in serious discussions, but as of Wednesday night a deal was not imminent. Apparently, Indians GM Mark Shapiro is looking for several high-end prospects, which the Rays seem reluctant to part with. Morosi notes that Rays right-hander Wade Davis is likely to be the centerpiece of the package.
Rays GM Andrew Friedman seems unwilling to part with more pitching prospects especially after trading away Edwin Jackson and Jason Hamel last year.
Furthermore, the Rays may have trouble adding Lee's salary, which is roughly $2 million for the rest of this season, and a club option for $9 million next season.
If in fact Davis was the centerpiece of the deal it's understandable Friedman might not be willing to part with him. He's considered by many scouts to have top end rotation potential along with the likes of Tommy Hanson and Clay Buchholz. John Sickels of Minor League Ball considers him a "Gil Meche" type, and has him rated the Rays number two prospect behind left-hander David Price.
Morosi suggests the Rays would probably be more comfortable moving some of their young middle infield depth, specifically, 23-year-old shortstop Reid Brignac. He has had good production at Triple-A Durham this year (.287/.343/.458) and even had decent production (.271 BA) during a big league call up this year.
In the end it's probably going to take a lot more than Brignac to get this deal done. If the Rays want Lee odds are they are going to have to part with Davis among others.
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Not worth it
I wouldnt trade Davis away, but I would trade him away before Brignac. I think the Rays have a pretty steep hill to climb this year to make the playoffs, and although not a long shot, if they make this move, and take the salary, it hurts them for a couple of years.
On BrewCrew Ball I speculated that Lee has about $22m in value. I wonder if the Indians would take Niemann and Brignac for Lee, heck even throw in a guy like Eduardo Morlan and the Indians would be getting some nice players for Lee.
by backtocali on Jul 23, 2009 11:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think
The Dodgers would do the deal today if they didn’t have to include Kershaw in the package. I think right now they’re doing everything they can to find a package that is suitable to the Jays that doesn’t include Kershaw. We’ll have to see how that turns out.
by Matt Buggenhagen on Jul 23, 2009 4:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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