« Pirates Acquire Hacker For Sanchez | Main | Javier Lopez Clears Waivers »

Discussion: The Tribe And Cliff Lee

By Drew Silva [May 16, 2009 at 3:03pm CST]

At 14-22 entering Saturday's full slate of action, the Indians are in last place in the American League Central. They have the talent to contend in that division, but it's simply not clicking right now. Staff ace and 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee has a $9MM option for 2010. That's a cheap price tag, but are the Indians better off dealing him this summer, or even this offseason, for a crop of young prospects? He may not bring on a Matt LaPorta-caliber player, as C.C. Sabathia did last season, but the Tribe could definitely load up on some fresh talent.

FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal addressed the issue recently, and his logic makes sense.

"High-revenue teams surely are intrigued by the possibility that the Indians might trade left-hander Cliff Lee. The Indians are less enthralled by the idea. Lee's contract -- $5.75 million this season with an $8 million club option for 2010 -- remains a bargain. And club officials are not ready to give up on this season, much less the next.

If the Indians wished to move Lee, they might get a better return this offseason -- when the free-agent market for starting pitching will be thin -- than they would before the July 31 non-waiver deadline."

"Right now, such a deal is not even under consideration," Rosenthal concludes. Will it be a possibility this offseason? What could the Tribe demand in return, and what club looks to be a good fit?

Full Story | Comments (25) | Categories: Cleveland Indians | Cliff Lee

blog comments powered by Disqus

Yankees To Sign Carlos Beltran Red Sox To Re-Sign Mike Napoli Nationals To Sign Nate McLouth Rangers To Sign J.P. Arencibia Astros To Sign Scott Feldman Mets To Sign Curtis Granderson Mariners To Sign Robinson Cano Yankees To Re-Sign Hiroki Kuroda Orioles To Sign Francisco Peguero Orioles To Sign Ryan Webb Marlins To Sign Rafael Furcal White Sox To Sign Ronald Belisario Dodgers Re-Sign Brian Wilson Red Sox To Sign Edward Mujica Royals Acquire Norichika Aoki Yankees To Sign Kelly Johnson Cubs Sign Wesley Wright White Sox Re-Sign Paul Konerko Rockies To Sign Justin Morneau Yankees Agree To Sign Jacoby Ellsbury Marlins Sign Jarrod Saltalamacchia Astros Acquire Dexter Fowler Padres, A's Swap Seth Smith For Luke Gregerson A's Acquire Craig Gentry, Josh Lindblom Rays Extend Ryan Hanigan Rays Acquire Ryan Hanigan Tigers Sign Joe Nathan Red Sox Sign A.J. Pierzynski Athletics Acquire Jim Johnson For Jemile Weeks

Lijit Search

Yankees Re-Sign Hiroki Kuroda Qualifying Offer And Draft Pick Compensation Update AL East Notes: Beltran, Red Sox, Orioles Dodgers Re-Sign Brian Wilson Yankees Receiving Significant Interest In Brett Gardner Red Sox To Sign Edward Mujica Rakuten Golden Eagles May Not Post Masahiro Tanaka Orioles Sign Francisco Peguero Rockies And Athletics Explored Brett Anderson Trade Market Reset: 2013-14 Free Agent Spending To Date Quick Hits: Astros, Papelbon, Happ, Betancourt Central Notes: Phillips, Axford, Joba, Buck Yankees Notes: Infante, Price, Drew, Choo NL West Notes: Kemp, Veras, Crain, Padres Reaction & Analysis To Robinson Cano's Signing

Peralta, PED Incentives, And The Next JDA Future Salary Obligations In Context Players Reflect On Arbitration Hearings Why I Chose My Agency Series Arbitration Breakdown

NAVIGATION Site Map Archives Feeds by Team	MLBTR INFO Advertise About Commenting Policy Privacy Policy	CONNECT Contact Us Widget Twitter Facebook Rss Feed
Partner of USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties. MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com.

Discussion: The Tribe And Cliff Lee

NAVIGATION

MLBTR INFO

CONNECT