Ah, the mystery team. Enough of a hot stove tradition that it has its own category here at MLBTR. One such phantom club still appears to be pursuing Cliff Lee, multiple sources told SI's Jon Heyman. Heyman cautions that it's not the Phillies. The Brewers, Cubs, and Orioles were ruled out during the winter meetings. The Nationals and Angels appear unlikely, and with their GMs confirming interest they wouldn't qualify as mysteries anyway.
Before the Carl Crawford signing, the Red Sox made a low-salary seven year offer, reported Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. So they're a former mystery team, but not a current one.
ESPN's Buster Olney notes in a tweet today that the whole mystery team idea "can only come spoon-fed from an agent who is trying to create leverage." That makes sense in regard to Lee, who still appears to only have two legitimate suitors and may be nearing a decision. There are only so many teams that can even propose a $140MM+ deal to a 32-year-old pitcher.
Does a third serious suitor for Lee even exist? Vote in today's poll.
