Cliff Lee Rumors

Roy Halladay Rumors: Thursday

The Blue Jays are not resigned to trading ace pitcher Roy Halladay, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News. However, Feinsand believes Halladay "wants out of Toronto," and would require an extension as part of waiving his no-trade clause. As you know, Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos won't rule out trading within the division, opening up Yankees and Red Sox speculation. SI's Jon Heyman says the Yankees will inquire on Halladay; why wouldn't they? Heyman believes Halladay favors a deal to an East Coast team and was willing to go to the Yankees or Red Sox last...   Continue Reading

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Phillies Notes: Lidge, Happ, Feliz

After falling short in their quest to repeat as world champions, Ruben Amaro Jr. & Co. are charged with the task of putting the organization in position to take the crown in 2010. Buster Olney, Baseball Prospectus and the Insider Staff reviewed the Phillies' '09 campaign and discussed what might be in store for them this winter. An Insider subscription is required, but here are some highlights for those without: With $11.5MM committed to Brad Lidge in each of the next two seasons, the Phillies are likely to keep him penciled in as their fireman. However, the club could seek...   Continue Reading

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Phillies Exercise Option On Cliff Lee

The Phillies exercised their $9MM option on lefty Cliff Lee, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. The move was a no-brainer for the Phils, as Lee posted a 3.22 ERA in 231.6 innings this year and won the Cy Young award in '08. Next on the docket: long-term extension talks. Also, the Phillies must decide on Pedro Feliz's $5.5MM club option by Monday.   Continue Reading

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Phillies, Lee Might Talk Extension This Winter

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer's Andy Martino, the Phillies have internally discussed the idea of signing Cliff Lee to a long-term contract extension this offseason. "Clearly, it's on our minds, but we haven't made a decision if we will yet," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Wednesday. "Naturally you have to think about it, but we're more focused on him pitching in this series." Lee has been lights out this postseason and went 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA with the Phillies during regulation. He's due for a massive contract, but the Phillies hold a $9MM bargain option on him for...   Continue Reading

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Heyman On Lee, Lackey, Mets, Nats

Cliff Lee out-pitched C.C. Sabathia last night, there's no question about that. Now, as Jon Heyman of SI.com points out, Lee's value is at an all-time high. The Phillies figure to try to lock Lee up this offseason, but he may cost $100MM or more. After two straight World Series appearances, however, Heyman says the Phillies have the "loot" to reach an agreement with their ace. Agent Darek Braunecker, can make the argument that Lee has out-pitched Sabathia for the last two years, not just in Game 1. (FanGraphs happens to value Lee's 2008-09 performance a little higher than Sabathia's)....   Continue Reading

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Lee, Phillies Yet To Talk About Extension

Both the Phillies and ace Cliff Lee have more important things on their mind right now, but in today's blog post at ESPN, Buster Olney mentions that Lee's agent, Darek Braunecker, said there have not yet been any discussions about a new deal. When it comes to club options, the $8MM ($1MM buyout) one the team holds on Lee for 2010 is as much of a no-brainer as they come. Philadelphia acquired Lee at the trade deadline after reaching a stalemate in talks with Toronto about Roy Halladay. Lee was very good after the move, but has been masterful in...   Continue Reading

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Heyman On Lee, Sabathia, Mattingly

Indians GM Mark Shapiro tells Jon Heyman of SI.com that it's "bittersweet" to see Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia excelling in the postseason for other clubs. The former Indians aces could match up in Game 1 of the World Series if the Yankees beat the Angels in six games. Lee tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports it would be a lot of fun and I'm sure thousands of baseball fans agree with him. Here are the rest of Heyman's rumors: Shapiro says "the realities of the business" prevented the Indians from retaining either Sabathia or Lee. Heyman says the...   Continue Reading

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NL West Roundup: Giants, Padres, Dodgers

The Internet is filled with insight into the teams of the Pacific Coast... MLB.com Giants beat reporter Chris Haft answered a number of reader questions, shooting down both the idea that the Giants can stand pat offensively and trade suggestions from a reader for Prince Fielder and Carl Crawford. Haft offers plenty to chew on in this comprehensive piece. Haft's San Diego counterpart Corey Brock answers plenty of Padre questions as well. Brock believes Ken Griffey Jr. is not a good target for the Padres and Kevin Correia absolutely will return. Brock touches on the long-term plan for the Padres...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Eyre, Rockies, Red Sox

Links for Monday... Slate's Craig Fehrman writes about "the sports media's unique mindset toward [online] aggregators" and how MLBTR fits in. On his MLB.com blog, Phillies reliever Scott Eyre suggests he and catcher Paul Bako are reconsidering retirement because they're having so much fun. Dodgers GM Ned Colletti told CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler that he offered four players to the Indians for Cliff Lee back in July. Lee instead landed with the Phillies and shut down the Dodgers last night. Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star believes it's very difficult for fans and reporters to create realistic trade scenarios. Do...   Continue Reading

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Cafardo's Latest: Felix Hernandez, Red Sox

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe has his Sunday column up. Let's have a look. Cafardo expects the Red Sox to make another push for Felix Hernandez in the offseason. Hernandez's price tag could prove too high for Seattle to retain him; however, they are open to extending him. Before the deadline, the Red Sox reportedly offered a 5-for-1 deal for the ace that Seattle turned down. The Indians have yet to see dividends pay for the players they received for Cliff Lee. Cafardo writes, "Righty Carlos Carrasco is 0-2 with a 9.64 ERA (six homers in 14 innings); catcher...   Continue Reading

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