Mariners Close to Aquiring Lefty Lee
2008 Cy Young winner Cliff Lee
It’s being reported that the Mariners are part of a three team deal that would send Roy Halliday from Toronto to Philadelphia, and Cliff Lee from Philly to Seattle, with Toronto getting prospects from both clubs. The Mariners would reportedly be sending pitching prospect Phillippe Aumont to the Blue Jays as part of their compensation for Halliday. The M’s would also be sending a couple prospects to the Phillies for Lee, but it isn’t being reported who. I would guess that Brandon Morrow would be a strong candidate to be one of those prospects. He’s young and talented, but hasn’t really gotten it going in Seattle, where he’s been shuffled back and forth between the starting rotation and the bullpen. A rotation fronted by Felix Hernandez, Lee, and Ryan Rowland-Smith would be quite formidable. The last two rotation spots could be Ian Snell and Luke French, unless they get beat out by someone in spring training.
Lee won the Cy Young in 2008 for Cleveland, then was traded to Philadelphia mid-season where he helped lead them to a second straight World Series title. He finished last year 14-13 with a 3.22 ERA. He would essentially give the Mariners two #1 caliber starting pitchers. It’s a bold move by the Mariners that is perhaps taking many by surprise (pleasantly). It shows that they are serious about winning now. The move could bolster Seattle’s stock in the eyes of current young ace Hernandez, as he considers whether to sign a long-term extension. It also gives the Mariners some insurance if they can’t get a deal done and it looks like the King will opt for free agency. Lee has one more year left on his contract after the Phillies exorcised his option for 2010.
