9:17pm: The Cardinals had a scout at today's Tigers-Mariners game as well, tweets Morosi.
2:45pm: Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports says that both the Dodgers and Yankees had scouts in attendance for Lee's brilliant start against the Tigers today (8 IP, 9 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 11 K). For the Yankees, this is the second consecutive start of Lee's which they've scouted.
According to Morosi, some clubs feel the Yankees are scouting Lee for a potential acquisition prior to the July 31 deadline, while others feel they're scouting with an eye toward this year's free agent market.
2:39pm: Jamey Newberg takes a lengthy, but interesting look at some reports guessing what it might take for the Rangers to acquire Lee from Seattle. Ultimately, due to the elite prospects required and the difficulty of working out the payroll (Newberg suggests adding Rich Harden and including an extra prospect to offset the salary), he feels he'd say no to Zduriencik were he in Ranger GM Jon Daniels' shoes.
Newberg also makes the point that while Lee projects as a Type A free agent, it shouldn't be assumed that he'll net his new team two first-round draft picks. Jayson Werth and Carl Crawford both project as fellow Type A free agents. With all three on the Yankees' radar, it's possible that Werth and/or Crawford end up outranking Lee, though Lee currently leads the three. If that happens, and the Yankees sign Lee and one of the two outfielders, Lee's new team would receive a supplemental round pick and a second-round pick instead of a first.
12:28pm: Citing rival executives, ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Insider link) says that Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik is searching for a "difference-making hitter" in any Cliff Lee negotiations. Expanding upon a tweet he made yesterday, Olney takes a look at the type of young hitter the Mariners may ask for in return for Cliff Lee.
One scenario that Olney suggests involves bringing the Brewers into a potential three-way trade. During Zduriencik's time in Milwaukee, he drafted Brett Lawrie, who Baseball America ranked as the 59th-best prospect in baseball coming into this season. The 20-year-old has only improved his stock this year, hitting .297/.362/.476 with 22 steals for Milwaukee's Double-A affiliate. While trading for Lee makes little sense for the Brewers, they could hypothetically add talent and depth to their farm system by sending Lawrie to Seattle and receiving prospects from the team acquiring Lee. This is speculation on Olney's part, but it's something Zduriencik could very well consider in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Frank Fitzpatrick of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Cliff Lee checks in on his former teammates in Philadelphia every now and then. Within the piece, Lee says he'd be happy to stay in Seattle for the rest of the year, and touches on how the season may have played out if he'd remained a Phillie.
oh buster olney how i hate you and your useless insight
Brett Lawrie would be the difference making hitter the M’s seek? Right handed bats and Safeco don’t go very well together.
Yeah I doubt a speedy second baseman is the impact bat the Mariners are after. You know.. Since they already have Figgins covering that position for the next 3-4 years and a second baseman in AA named Dustin Ackley that is projecting to perhaps make the team in 2011.
Yeah I doubt a speedy second baseman is the impact bat the Mariners are after. You know.. Since they already have Figgins covering that position for the next 3-4 years and a second baseman in AA named Dustin Ackley that is projecting to perhaps make the team in 2011.
Well his sister is epic, and kinda hot, but front what i know of Brett, I would definitely take Danielle over him.
LOL very true very true. And some of her teammates were pretty easy on the eyes also.
This makes much more sense than the previous post about Smoak.
Lawrie does? Um. No.
Josh Thole has looked great…..can’t help but think that the M’s are interested in him
They want potential impact bats. Not punch and judy hitters with below average defensive skills.
If thats the case, then Thole could be the next Jeter !
I kid, I kid
lol
I kid, I kid
lol
If thats the case, then Thole could be the next Jeter !
They want potential impact bats. Not punch and judy hitters with below average defensive skills.
Jack Z loved eeeevery pitch of Lee’s outing today.
Jack Z loved eeeevery pitch of Lee’s outing today.
Why do teams waste time, plane tickets, money and per diem allowances on scouts to watch Cliff Lee?
What kind of report do they expect? “Yup…. He’s still good”
Why do teams waste time, plane tickets, money and per diem allowances on scouts to watch Cliff Lee?
What kind of report do they expect? “Yup…. He’s still good”
Agreed. There’s also a new invention called “television” that allows you to watch baseball games at your home or in an office. You have to pay extra if you want to watch all the games though.
Besides the free hotdogs and other perks they probably get being a scout at a ballpark, the thing TV doesn’t show all the time and the kind of things I would look for is if they throw a pitch and land wrong or how they handle themselves “inbetween” pitches or “inbetween” innings. If a pitcher winces or is rubbing their arm excessively in the dug out. Instead of watching replays of Ichiro making a catch, they are focused on what Lee is doing on the mound.
its mechanics and stuff. movement of pitches. TV doesnt focus on that
I can see what you’re saying, and I know I’m not a trained scout, but I can’t help but wonder what they can see differently (or, I should say, better) from the ballpark, especially when it comes to movement of pitches.
Of course I’m not a scout either, I think its the thought of you see more when you are there than a tv. Though I’m sure they look at video after
Right, it’s not like it’s one or the other. It’s one or both. Scouts probably prefer both.
My guess is they like to see what they think and gain an opinion in person and then solidify it with video. Also seeing things twice is better than once
its mechanics and stuff. movement of pitches. TV doesnt focus on that
Hmm, wonder if the Yankees would put a trade package together built around Montero? That could be an impact bat the M’s would seek.
Yup. Montero and Smoak are at the top of the Mariners wishlist I would imagine.
Hmm, wonder if the Yankees would put a trade package together built around Montero? That could be an impact bat the M’s would seek.
I will stop being a Ranger fan if we give up all of our top prospects for two months of Lee. We’ve been the worst team (or close to it) for years now. Just in the past two years and obviously this year we are winning again… Why? Because of our youth. Let me say that again. Because of our youth.
JD and Nolan Ryan should not feel any pressure at all to go get Lee. Let’s do the best we can this year with what we have. Once the ownership is figured out then we can just sign lee or another top Pitcher…. OR let one of our young guys have a chance.
The article that Newberg wrote is spot on. And is conclusion is right as well. That’s WAY too much to give up for Lee. He is good don’t get me wrong. But, I think we’ve spent too long building up this pool of talent to just trade them all away. This isn’t Roy Halladay we’re talking about.
PLEASE Jon Daniels… I hope you are reading this. DO NOT TRADE FOR LEE!!
Good points but the difference between Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee is negligible. Splitting hairs. Probably the 2 best pitchers in baseball right now.
Good points but the difference between Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee is negligible. Splitting hairs. Probably the 2 best pitchers in baseball right now.
I fall on the other side of the argument. Been a Rangers fan since I could walk and I’m tired of saying how bout next year. The farm system is deep. Young and company are healthy and playing well. Let’s take a shot now. Trade Smoak or Davis plus Scheppers or Perez plus Morleand. We have no shortage of young arms including Feliz who might be a starter someday. From Nolan’s comments I think he wants to win now and I’m all for that.
I fall on the other side of the argument. Been a Rangers fan since I could walk and I’m tired of saying how bout next year. The farm system is deep. Young and company are healthy and playing well. Let’s take a shot now. Trade Smoak or Davis plus Scheppers or Perez plus Morleand. We have no shortage of young arms including Feliz who might be a starter someday. From Nolan’s comments I think he wants to win now and I’m all for that.
Lee is a sure fire Type-A draft pick. Given the amount of youth and high quality players that Texas has, I think that they can afford to give up one ready-now guy for two guys that are three or four years away. In a way, it might not be a bad way to get more depth in the future. Think about it this way: World Series.
Lee is a sure fire Type-A draft pick. Given the amount of youth and high quality players that Texas has, I think that they can afford to give up one ready-now guy for two guys that are three or four years away. In a way, it might not be a bad way to get more depth in the future. Think about it this way: World Series.
I will stop being a Ranger fan if we give up all of our top prospects for two months of Lee. We’ve been the worst team (or close to it) for years now. Just in the past two years and obviously this year we are winning again… Why? Because of our youth. Let me say that again. Because of our youth.
JD and Nolan Ryan should not feel any pressure at all to go get Lee. Let’s do the best we can this year with what we have. Once the ownership is figured out then we can just sign lee or another top Pitcher…. OR let one of our young guys have a chance.
The article that Newberg wrote is spot on. And is conclusion is right as well. That’s WAY too much to give up for Lee. He is good don’t get me wrong. But, I think we’ve spent too long building up this pool of talent to just trade them all away. This isn’t Roy Halladay we’re talking about.
PLEASE Jon Daniels… I hope you are reading this. DO NOT TRADE FOR LEE!!
Tell you what. I’m starting not to hate what the Mets have to offer. At first, yeah, I didn’t like any bat they had. But after digging a bit, whats up with this Reese Havens kid? 23 in AA and he looks like a legit masher at 2B. Good BB:K rates (even though he does K a bit too much), good contact, good power, etc. Seems like he needs to be in AAA or the bigs real soon to get some sort of challenge.
I don’t know, a package with Havens and Mejia in it could be not so bad.
Tell you what. I’m starting not to hate what the Mets have to offer. At first, yeah, I didn’t like any bat they had. But after digging a bit, whats up with this Reese Havens kid? 23 in AA and he looks like a legit masher at 2B. Good BB:K rates (even though he does K a bit too much), good contact, good power, etc. Seems like he needs to be in AAA or the bigs real soon to get some sort of challenge.
I don’t know, a package with Havens and Mejia in it could be not so bad.
Angels are only 4.5 games behind Texas. And they are looking to add some pieces to make another run at it. Adding Lee to the Texas rotation could really swing the balance in Texas favor. If it takes Smoak as part of a package to get it done I think they really have to consider it. Rental or not.
Angels always play some pretty good ball after the all star break.
As a Mets fan I am sure the Mets could work out a deal with the M’s that involves a combination of guys like: Reese Havens, Fernando Martinez, Dillon Gee, Josh Thole, Jenrry Mejia or Ruben Tejada……its so confusing- one day the M’s want a prospect catcher, the next its two major league ready hitters, the day after that its pitching…make up your mind….and yes most teams are not willing to give up a top prospect for Lee this year, but the Mets need a pitcher and want to win now….plus they have the money to lure Lee back next year….Omar Minaya will pony up the goods if he has to….as far as the Yankees go, they don’t need Cliff Lee, they just won a World Series, have the best record in baseball and 5 current or former All-Stars already in their rotation….as a free agent I expect them to make a run at him, but as far as this year, its ridiculous and unnecessary….not to mention nearly guarantees them a repeat.
I think what it is regarding the catching situation is there really isn’t anything out there that is leaps and bounds better than Adam Moore. Ramos may grade out to be better than Moore but not by much. Thole has some big deficiencies in his game that are way too risky unless he’s the 3rd piece of the deal (no power/poor defender).
In the end I see Jack taking the best overall package.
I think what it is regarding the catching situation is there really isn’t anything out there that is leaps and bounds better than Adam Moore. Ramos may grade out to be better than Moore but not by much. Thole has some big deficiencies in his game that are way too risky unless he’s the 3rd piece of the deal (no power/poor defender).
In the end I see Jack taking the best overall package.
As a Mets fan I am sure the Mets could work out a deal with the M’s that involves a combination of guys like: Reese Havens, Fernando Martinez, Dillon Gee, Josh Thole, Jenrry Mejia or Ruben Tejada……its so confusing- one day the M’s want a prospect catcher, the next its two major league ready hitters, the day after that its pitching…make up your mind….and yes most teams are not willing to give up a top prospect for Lee this year, but the Mets need a pitcher and want to win now….plus they have the money to lure Lee back next year….Omar Minaya will pony up the goods if he has to….as far as the Yankees go, they don’t need Cliff Lee, they just won a World Series, have the best record in baseball and 5 current or former All-Stars already in their rotation….as a free agent I expect them to make a run at him, but as far as this year, its ridiculous and unnecessary….not to mention nearly guarantees them a repeat.
For the Mariners, their are two ways determining Lee’s future;
1. Trade Lee as soon as possible while his value is at extreme.
2. Play the waiting game and continue starting Lee until the trade deadline in hopes of turning this season around.
Ill take the latter.
For the Mariners, their are two ways determining Lee’s future;
1. Trade Lee as soon as possible while his value is at extreme.
2. Play the waiting game and continue starting Lee until the trade deadline in hopes of turning this season around.
Ill take the latter.
The last two times Lee was traded, the team didn’t get much for him. Why would a team get a ton now?
Cliff Lee is pitching as well if not better than Roy Halloday. Jack Z knows how to work the trade market. There are a lot of close division races this year which makes Cliff Lee more of an asset to a team trying to compete to not only put them over the top but also to keep Lee out of the hands of competition.
Plus a precedent was set via CC’s trade to Milwaukee.
Plus a precedent was set via CC’s trade to Milwaukee.
That’s not any different than midseason last year
Cliff Lee hadn’t helped anyone get to the post-season yet, but not did he get his team to the post-season he dominated in the post season. There are great players that fail in the post-season. Now people think that if they get Cliff Lee and he gets them to the post-season that he guan tees you 2 wins a series. As good as Cliff Lee was last year he is even better this year. Only 5 walks, that is crazy.
The last two times Lee was traded, the team didn’t get much for him. Why would a team get a ton now?
That article about Cliff Lee was nice. Im a Phillies fan and I understood why they made the trade, its just unfortunate for the Phillies that Ruben Amaro doesnt seem to know about getting value back in trades. I felt real bad for Cliff Lee and would love to see the Phillies make him a fair offer in the offseason. It was nice to see that he doesnt harbor any bad feelings and would welcome pitching for the Phillies again with open arms.
you probably could have gotten jesus montero/wilson ramos/laird for him last winter…
and that would’ve been better than the 3 prospects u traded him for..
That article about Cliff Lee was nice. Im a Phillies fan and I understood why they made the trade, its just unfortunate for the Phillies that Ruben Amaro doesnt seem to know about getting value back in trades. I felt real bad for Cliff Lee and would love to see the Phillies make him a fair offer in the offseason. It was nice to see that he doesnt harbor any bad feelings and would welcome pitching for the Phillies again with open arms.
I agree and am fully aware that Lee will be a type A. However, you didn’t read the article. There are many scenarios where Texas wouldn’t get the two top picks. Example, if the Yankees sign werth or Crawford and lee then Tampa bay or the phillies would get the picks.. Not the rangers. We would get the secound round picks. Also, if a team that was in the bottom 15 of teams signs Lee then their pick is protected… No pick for the rangers.
I don’t think Lee is worth it. History should teach us something. This is exactly what the rangers did to the braves when we traded texiera. The braves wanted to make a playoff push and ended up not even making it. It cost them dearly (andrus, feliz, salty)
What’s worse… If this trade does back fire us rangers fans will be watching smoak, holland, etc play for a division rival for the next 6 years. No way. No thanks. Not for cliff Lee.
“Example, if the Yankees sign werth or Crawford and lee then Tampa bay or the phillies would get the picks.”
Could, not would. There is an order to the type A free agents and currently, Lee is ahead of the other two. In addition, even if Lee were to get hurt, the ranking system wouldn’t penalize his score as much as bad play. So unless he tanks (unlikely), he is still more likely to keep his superior Type A status.
You read the article wrong. Lee is out in front of Crawford and Werth by quite a bit in the ratings, and is only separating himself more with every start. The article was cautioning that Lee could not be the top type A free agent and that it might be a problem if the Yanks sign everyone.
I don’t think the Yankees would trade for Lee during the season. 1 possible reason I could see it is if Hughes is on a stupid innings limit there going to need another starter im assuming to finish up the season so Idk. But still I don’t see them trading for Lee. There going to sign him as a FA so its stupid to trade for him
Maybe, but I’m sure the Yankees would rather have him on their team come playoff time than possibly having to face him in the playoffs where he owned them.
Watching Lee dismantle the Yanks for someone like the Twins would be extra sweet knowing they could have traded for him to prevent it.
Which is why the Twins GM is probably going to do everything in his power to get Cliff. There’s a good chance the Yankees play the AL Central winner in the first round again this year. Cliff Lee starting twice in a 5 game series? I pray CC throws two perfect games.
Cliff lee is a great guy and deserves to be on a team like the yankees where he can be a winner and have a strong supporting cast.
how about the red sox…or the angels….or the twins….or the cardinals…
u know there are other teams that field “winners” on a consistent basis too
Or they could be scouting him for their next matchup, as the Yanks will sadly have to face Lee and King Felix again in the upcoming Seattle series. As well as scouting him if he does get traded to another contender.
The Dodgers should get him. Too bad the McCourt’s bleed the Dodgers.