Cliff Lee Rumors: Monday
Yesterday we learned that the Nationals are out of the Cliff Lee sweepstakes and that the Yankees will not increase their offer again. Multiple reporters have suggested Lee will decide this week. If you believe in the mystery team, the lefty may have three legitimate suitors. Otherwise, it's just the Yankees and Rangers. The top bullets have the latest:
- It's hard to find executives who expect Lee to re-sign in Texas, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter).
- One member of the Phillies organization has said to Jack Curry of the YES Network that Lee isn't in the same class as C.C. Sabathia and Roy Halladay and would be a riskier signing (Twitter link).
- A decision is unlikely tonight, but could come tomorrow, according to Heyman (on Twitter).
- The Yankees are now "extremely negative" about landing Lee and they believe he is leaning toward the Phillies' offer, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter).
- There is a belief Lee is heading to the Phillies, according to Jack Curry of the YES Network (on Twitter). Meanwhile, Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Phils "look like a very strong candidate to win Lee's services" (Twitter link).
- Lee moved closer to a decision tonight, according to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick. The Phillies entered the bidding for Lee after the winter meetings and have presented the lefty with “a spirited late bid,” Crasnick writes.
- The Phillies, Yankees and Rangers are finalists for Lee, who appears to be close to deciding on a team, according to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com (on Twitter).
- The Phillies are looking to unload Joe Blanton and the $17MM that remains on his contract through 2012, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter link).
- The Phillies are still bidding on Lee, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. GM Ruben Amaro Jr. declined to comment, but a source told Rosenthal that the team is "not out."
- Lee has yet to make a decision, Yankees GM Brian Cashman told Tyler Kepner of the New York Times (on Twitter). "He'll make [a decision] someday," Cashman said.
- There are still rumblings about a third team, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). The mystery team's offer appears to be significantly lower than the Yankees' proposal, but it's from a place Lee "loves."
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes, "You would be surprised at how many folks [in the game] think there is a legitimate third team bidding on Lee beyond the Yankees and Rangers." Sherman speculates on who that team might be. Less than a third of you believe such a club exists.
- Lee's agent Darek Braunecker has been in touch with the Yankees today, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney, and he said the process is ongoing.
- The unidentified third team is only willing to go four or five years, writes George A. King III of the New York Post.
Rangers Moving Aggressively On Adrian Beltre?
The Rangers "have made [an] aggressive play" for free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre, reports ESPN's Karl Ravech (Twitter link). Ravech wonders if they're setting up for the possibility of Cliff Lee signing with the Yankees.
An aggressive Beltre pursuit would represent a change of course for Texas. On Friday night, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweeted that the Rangers were "not at all optimistic about getting Beltre, backing off for now." Today Rosenthal tweets that nothing has changed, but there's no denying the Rangers' interest.
The Rangers still have Michael Young under contract for three more seasons, so if they acquire Beltre they'd either need to trade Young or use him as a designated hitter.
Rosenthal On Werth, Bill Hall, Cliff Lee
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports leads his latest column by contrasting the value of Zack Greinke and Matt Garza. Though Greinke is widely viewed as the superior pitcher, Garza comes with an extra year of control at similar overall money. Either righty would require a huge trade bounty. On to Rosenthal's other rumors…
- Jayson Werth's contract includes decent-sized bonuses for strong finishes in the MVP voting.
- The Dodgers are in discussions with Bill Hall to be their primary left fielder. Rosenthal feels that such a signing would be the team's last significant move. Hall's last strong season as a regular was 2006, the 35 home run campaign for the Brewers that earned him a $24MM contract.
- Rosenthal tweets that the lack of state income tax in Texas has minimal impact in the Cliff Lee talks, since Lee would reside in Arkansas instead. Rosenthal feels that the income tax-related savings the Rangers could promote would be balanced by a higher salary from the Yankees plus endorsements. George A. King III of the New York Post offers a similar take.
Cliff Lee Rumors: Sunday
If Nolan Ryan is right in believing that Cliff Lee will weigh his options this weekend and come to a decision Monday, we'll have to wait at least another day before hearing anything concrete on Lee. In the meantime, here are the rumblings on the left-hander since yesterday….
- The Nationals are officially out on Lee, reports MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
- Christian Red of The New York Daily News hears from a source that the Lee situation "should get resolved early this week."
- SI's Jon Heyman tweets that there are "strong indications" of a third team being involved in the Lee discussions, but conventional wisdom still says it's between the Rangers and Yankees.
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman tells Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger that "nothing has happened as of yet" regarding Lee's decision.
- Sherman's colleague, George A. King III writes that the Yankees will not increase their offer to Lee again. The Yankees have extended three offers, the longest of which is believed to be in the seven-year, $160MM range.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post opines that Lee and agent Darek Braunecker have "used time expertly" to discomfort the Yankees and force them into upping their offer one last time prior to sealing the deal (Twitter link).
- We heard on Saturday that some Yankees officials were expressing "a bit of skepticism" about the team's chances of landing Lee. ESPN.com's Buster Olney says the same thing today in his Insider-only blog. According to Olney, one Yankee exec told another team's GM that he figures the odds of New York signing Lee are about 50-50.
- Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal explains how Texas' tax rates mean the Rangers could effectively match the Yankees' offer without actually matching it. Ken Belson of the New York Times made a similar observation earlier this weekend.
- Rangers manager Ron Washington thinks Lee will be back in Texas in 2011, as Tom Spousta of the Dallas Morning News writes.
- Ken Davidoff of Newsday examines some of the oft-repeated theories about Lee's decision, attempting to determine which ones are legitimate.
Cafardo’s Latest: Red Sox, Pavano, Buehrle, Millwood
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe names the winners and losers of the Winter Meetings in his newest piece, with the Red Sox, Nationals, and White Sox topping his list of winners. Cafardo also shares a handful of hot stove notes. Here are the highlights:
- Before they signed Carl Crawford, the Red Sox "did a ton of work" on Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Beltran.
- Carl Pavano figures to wait for Cliff Lee to sign, so he can see the type of offers he receives as the top pitcher on the market. Cafardo thinks Pavano could be a backup plan for the Rangers if they don't land Lee, though the Twins still remain the favorites for the 34-year-old. Texas has also inquired on Matt Garza and James Shields.
- The White Sox will listen to offers for Mark Buehrle, whose contract expires after the 2011 season. Buehrle earned ten and five rights this year, so he'd have the option of vetoing any trade.
- Agent Scott Boras says a strong market is developing for Kevin Millwood.
- Team officials that spoke to Cafardo had mixed opinions on free agent backstop Russell Martin. One opined that Martin "can't call a game," while another raved about the enthusiasm the catcher brings each day.
- According to Cafardo, the Red Sox were the only team to discuss Justin Upton with the Diamondbacks, balking at Kevin Towers' insistence that Daniel Bard be included in a potential deal.
- The Astros would have interest in trading Matt Lindstrom and Jeff Keppinger.
- Grant Balfour is seeking a three-year contract. The Red Sox have looked into him, but are hoping Matt Guerrier will accept their offer. As Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston noted today (via Twitter), Guerrier is one of the top relief targets for Boston, along with Brian Fuentes and Jesse Crain.
Cliff Lee Rumors: Saturday
There was not much movement on the Cliff Lee front yesterday, but the free agent lefty could agree to a contract at any moment. Here are today's batch of rumors, with the latest news featured at the top throughout the day…
- Brian Cashman told Marc Carig of The Star Ledger that he hasn't been to Arkansas to visit Lee since the team's last visit, but he'll go again "if necessary." (Twitter link)
- Nolan Ryan told MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan that he expects Lee to take the weekend to mull over the offers, then come to a decision on Monday. "I've run all my traps and don't know anything," said the Hall of Famer, "so we'll just wait and see."
- Jack Curry of the YES Network hears from people that have spoken to Yankee officials that they have expressed "a bit of skepticism" about signing Lee (Twitter link).
- SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that the Rangers originally offered five years and $100MM, but they added a sixth guaranteed year and what is believed to be "some form of option that could turn the new deal into a seven-year contract" when they last visited Lee in Arkansas.
Rangers Look To Be Out Of Beltre Bidding
The Rangers are "backing off for now" on any pursuit of Adrian Beltre, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. Texas is "not at all optimistic" about its chances of signing the free agent third baseman, and without a chance of getting Beltre, the Rangers have similarly halted the Michael Young trade market. This market may not have been all that sturdy, as Rosenthal notes that a Young trade was a "longshot from [the] start."
If Texas is out of the picture, that eliminates one more big-market player from the Beltre sweepstakes. It may be down to just the Angels as the only serious bidders for Beltre's services, unless the Athletics get back in the hunt. The pressure seemed to be on Los Angeles to get a deal done with Beltre once the club's top free agent target (Carl Crawford) signed with Boston, but the Halos may be able to sign Beltre at a relative bargain price if they're the only team in the race. Scott Boras may have to look hard for another mystery team to join the fray unless Beltre is willing to sign with a non-contender with money to spend, like Baltimore.
Cliff Lee Rumors: Friday
It's a good time to be Cliff Lee. The Yankees made the left-hander a number of proposals and, after meeting with him in Arkansas, the Rangers did the same. Don't count out the Angels or Nationals, who have also expressed interest this week, and don't forget about those mystery teams. Here are yesterday's Lee rumors and we'll keep track of the latest on the 2008 Cy Young Award winner right here:
- Rangers CEO Chuck Greenberg, co-owner Ray Davis and assistant general manager Thad Levine visited Lee's home in Little Rock on Thursday, and Levine talks to ESPNDallas.com's Richard Durrett about the trip.
- Tyler Kepner of the New York Times gets the sense from people involved that Lee feels a pull toward Texas (Twitter link). However, Kepner expects Lee to take the Yankees' seven-year, $161MM offer.
- Sabathia may be recruiting Lee for the Yankees, but Rangers starter Tommy Hunter tells Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News that he's trying to keep Lee in Texas.
- The Yankees and Rangers don't expect a decision from Lee for a few days, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (Twitter link).
- Nothing appears to have changed overnight, reports ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter).
- C.C. Sabathia continues to encourage his former Indians teammate to join him in New York, according to Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News.
Cliff Lee Rumors: Thursday
All the latest on Cliff Lee, after a slew of rumors yesterday…
- Rangers owner Chuck Greenberg announced on a conference call that the team made Lee an offer for an unspecified amount, according to Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (all Twitter links). The lefty is now weighing his options and the Rangers feel good about their chances. Like the Yankees, the Rangers offered Lee a "menu" of choices, Greenberg said (Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reporting on Twitter).
- The Rangers expect to know by tonight whether they'll be able to sign Lee or not, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sulivan.
- The Rangers asked Braunecker what it'd take to sign Lee, according to Crasnick. The agent, who obviously has the upper hand, instead told the Rangers they'll have to make their best offer.
- The Yankees have presented Lee with an assortment of contract choices, writes Sherman. He believes the bids are something like five years for $125MM ($25MM per), six years for $144MM ($24MM per), and seven years for $161MM ($23MM per). I have a feeling this will reach its resolution with Lee signing the largest pitching contract ever.
- The Rangers requested the Arkansas meeting and plan to increase their offer beyond five years, tweets Rosenthal. The Rangers are "adding any perk necessary" to please Lee and his family, tweets Yahoo's Steve Henson.
- Crasnick reports that the Yankees' new seven-year offer has a lower average annual value than the $23.3MM of their previous one. So this offer could be worth less than Sabathia's contract.
- The Rangers are sending a contingent to meet with Lee and agent Darek Braunecker in the pitcher's hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas, reports ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. This will mark the team's third trip to Arkansas. The Rangers are sending owner Chuck Greenberg and assistant GM Thad Levine, tweets Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- Angels GM Tony Reagins acknowledged interest in Lee, tweets Rosenthal.
- The Lee talks might drag through the weekend, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- The Yankees have just gone to a seventh year for Lee, tweets SI's Jon Heyman. With Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth getting deals of that length, it'd be hard to sign Lee without matching. The Yanks' previous offer was reported to be six years and $140MM, so this one could nudge Lee past C.C. Sabathia for the largest contract ever given to a pitcher.
Michael Young Rumors: Thursday
Previously we learned that the Rangers discussed Michael Young trades with the Angels, Cardinals, Dodgers, and Rockies. ESPN's Buster Olney speculates that the Rangers may be trying to set up other moves. The latest:
- Rosenthal tweets that the Rangers' talks with the Rockies are dormant and there are no active Young talks with other teams.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports that the chances of a Young trade are less than 50 percent.