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The Rangers acquired left-handed ace Cliff Lee from the Mariners today along with pitcher Mark Lowe in exchange for first baseman and top prospect Justin Smoak, pitchers Blake Beavan and Josh Lueke, and utility man Matt Lawson.

The Rangers will also receive about 3 million dollars in cash, which would explain why they would be giving up Justin Smoak in the deal. Lee is set to earn 4 million dollars for the remainder of the season. 

Lee will greatly improve the Rangers chances in the AL West and in the American League in general. 

The Yankees believed they had a deal in place with the Mariners, but concerns over one of the prospects they would have received stalled the deal and gave the Rangers enough time to pull off the trade.

In 17 starts this season for Double-A, pitcher Blake Beavan is 10-5 with a 2.78 ERA and 68 strike outs to just 12 walks. He is only 21. Lueke, 25, owns a 2.11 ERA in 32 appearances this season. It is possible he could pop up in the M's bullpen this season.

The Mariners also received second baseman and outfielder Matt Lawson, who is hitting .277 with 7 home runs this season. He finds a way to get on base, and it is possible the Mariners view him as an adequate role player at some point down the road.