The 2008 Cy Young Award Winner is currently on his third team in two years..soon it could be a fourth. After winning the Cy in '08, Lee came back to Cleveland to begin the 2009 season, but would be dealt before the trade deadline. Perenial World Series contender, Philadelphia, took interest in him and offered Cleveland a deal that they couldn't refuse. Philly's goal was to win the World Series right away and Lee almost helped them do that. Too bad for them, the Bronx Bombers were in full swing last year and dominated the postseason on their way to a 27th championship.
In the offseason, Philadelphia decided to make a trade and acquire possibly the best pitcher in the league, Roy Halladay. They could have kept Lee on the team and been a powerhouse all year, but instead, General Manager Ruban Amaro Jr. decided to trade him away to help replenish their depleted Minor League System. Lee was dealt to the Seattle Mariners for an array of prospects and had almost the entire baseball community viewing Seattle as the favorite to win the AL West in 2010.
The reality, however, has been a complete letdown. Lee was hurt to begin the season and Seattle got off to an extremely poor start. Add on the fact that veterans Milton Bradley and Chone Figgins are having extremely unproductive seasons and you understand why Seattle is in dead last in the AL West.
Each year a few teams who sit last in their respecive divisions and feel that they have no chance to win go into a phase called "rebuilding". Basically, they trade a few of the star veterans on their team in order to acquire young rising prospects for the future. This year, Seattle could be one of those teams. Any team would gladly add Lee to their roster if they could, the only question is: who is willing to pay the price?
Hopefully the Mets are willing to pay the price. If not for Lee, then for Oswalt
ReplyDelete76 K's to 4 walks is absurd - a command of 19 - with a BA against of .217. It won't stay that good but it may not end up far from it.
ReplyDeleteThe key thing about Lee is that he's proven he can pitch in both leagues but unlike Halladay, he's also proven he can shut down teams during the playoffs and world series in the tough environments of PHI and NY.
They say MIN and the NYM want his services - who wouldn't? He is a far better deal than Oswalt as he would be a short term rental. Lee is determined to test the free agent waters in 2011. You could also offer arbitration and get a type A draft pick when he leaves.
Oswalt on the other hand would need to waive a no trade, and would end up costing $25.5 million plus a player, since he is under contract and the owner McLane always makes ridiculous demands. He would be owed half this year's $15 million, $16 million in 2011, and a $2 million buyout of his $16 million 2012 option, assuming no salary relief by the Astros. He would be a question mark in the AL if he chose to go there.