Executive involved in Cliff Lee talks: The Yankees-Mariners deal “is just about done.”
Buster Olney
Buster_ESPN
Video courtesy of ESPN
Jul 09
Twitter Tweet: Lee To Yanks Looks Close To A “Done” Deal
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90 comments
rustyjr
7/9/2010-10:53am at 10:53 am (UTC -4)
Ugh I’m gonna be sick
Mr North Jersey
7/9/2010-10:54am at 10:54 am (UTC -4)
Hang in there Rusty you will be fine once the initial shock passes.
tkfj2
7/9/2010-10:56am at 10:56 am (UTC -4)
just give them the title.
metsfan4decades
7/9/2010-10:59am at 10:59 am (UTC -4)
Well, they were likely the front runners to sign him off season so…
Now, they have to give up a prospect to get him early. So HA-HA!
Only think that might annoy me more now is the rumors of Werth to the Yanks for Vasquez…..
metsfan4decades
7/9/2010-11:01am at 11:01 am (UTC -4)
*thing.
And I hate the Yankees.
Kingman 26
7/9/2010-11:00am at 11:00 am (UTC -4)
Let them have him.
Will make it SO sweet when the Rays, with 1/3 of the Yank$ comical payroll, beat them in the ALCS.
njstuckintx
7/9/2010-11:02am at 11:02 am (UTC -4)
remember folks, this is coming from Buster Olney…
oleosmirf
7/9/2010-11:14am at 11:14 am (UTC -4)
no its pretty widespread
DNDJohan aka kistics
7/9/2010-11:08am at 11:08 am (UTC -4)
Frustrating.. I wonder what Omar has offered to the Ms.
stickguy
7/9/2010-11:09am at 11:09 am (UTC -4)
doesn’t bother me at all. As long as the resopnse to the package isn’t “how did they get him for that dreck”, let them go for it.
As noted, he is going to be there next season anyway, so at least take out a couple of their better prospects. And he probably doesn’t change much about this year, since they already had a high probability (barring major injuries) of making the WS anyway!
Now, if they somehow trade Werth for Vazquez, that wil annoy me, although I doubt Jason will do much more for them than Swisher.
Actually, that might be a good deal, if the Phils have to give up some other talent. THeir offense if falling apart anyway, and werth is their only RH bat that counts. Fine, bring up Brown, and let him be an overmatched K machine!
ceetar
7/9/2010-11:17am at 11:17 am (UTC -4)
Let’s not pretend “He’s going there next season anyway” A lot of teams will want him, and if the Yankees are really going to stick a budget, even a super high one, overpaying for Lee won’t help that. Especially because they have to overpay Jeter and Rivera and Girardi this offseason.
And if the offense falls apart due to age and injury, Rivera succumbs to age (“pitching hurt” doubt it..but he often breaks down from over use, if only for a couple of weeks) and their bullpen continues to be poor, they won’t win it all anyway.
trs86
7/9/2010-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
You are forgetting Pettite and Vasquez’s money.
oleosmirf
7/9/2010-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
the Yankees defy common logic as they really only need 2-3 good arms in their pen. (which they will have during the playoffs)
Lee, Sabathia, Pettitte is all they need in the rotation with Burnett maybe doing 1 start or 2. Hughes, Joba, Rivera is all they really need when those 3 guys go 7+ every start and if Aceves comes back they are solid there.
oleosmirf
7/9/2010-11:10am at 11:10 am (UTC -4)
well this puts even more pressure (while unfounded) for Omar to acquire a legit SP.
Mr North Jersey
7/9/2010-11:15am at 11:15 am (UTC -4)
As long as Lee goes to another American League team It won’t affect the Mets until we face said team in the W.S.
Assuming Minaya just felt that the M’s asking price was too high he was not coming to the Mets so the focus should be on who else may help us. Lilly, Oswalt or if possible Haren should top that list.
Now if the Phillies end up getting a Javier Vasquez for a Werth that might irk me but somehow I feel like I will take my chances against Vasquez and watching the Phillies lose a bat like Werth.
oleosmirf
7/9/2010-11:23am at 11:23 am (UTC -4)
well the Mets dont have a prospect like Montero. He’s ranked 4th in all of baseball by BA.
Mr North Jersey
7/9/2010-11:25am at 11:25 am (UTC -4)
Uhh Ok?
oleosmirf
7/9/2010-11:29am at 11:29 am (UTC -4)
so the Mets couldnt compete with the Yanks offer…unless you want to give up Flores, Mejia, F-Mart and Tejada or something ridiculous like that.
trs86
7/9/2010-11:33am at 11:33 am (UTC -4)
“Assuming Minaya just felt that the M’s asking price was too high”
Kingman 26
7/9/2010-11:32am at 11:32 am (UTC -4)
His stats, while good, have actually gone down significantly as he has risen from A to AA to AAA.
oleosmirf
7/9/2010-11:41am at 11:41 am (UTC -4)
he’s 20 and in AAA and its really his only “down year” ever in the minors. Its just an adjustment.
then again he’s playing against the Nelson Figueroas of the world who actually know how to pitch, well against minor league hitters that is.
this isn’t F-Mart here, F-Mart never put up gaudy numbers in any level of the minors. His potential was based just of what he looks like, not results.
Kingman 26
7/9/2010-11:58am at 11:58 am (UTC -4)
Yeah, good points all around.
But I would think usually those top guys get better or at least stay the same at each new level.
trs86
7/9/2010-11:19am at 11:19 am (UTC -4)
Fine by me. Kind of like Lebron, tired of hearing about it. Just go somewhere.
Kingman 26
7/9/2010-11:27am at 11:27 am (UTC -4)
+ Infinity
trs86
7/9/2010-11:48am at 11:48 am (UTC -4)
OK so I know it would be strange but is there any thoughts on the Mets trading for Vasquez?
Mr North Jersey
7/9/2010-11:49am at 11:49 am (UTC -4)
Vasquez for Francoeur???
trs86
7/9/2010-11:50am at 11:50 am (UTC -4)
Done.
Mr North Jersey
7/9/2010-11:52am at 11:52 am (UTC -4)
lol Boy if it was just that easy.
metsfan4decades
7/9/2010-12:13pm at 12:13 pm (UTC -4)
And Done.
trs86
7/9/2010-11:52am at 11:52 am (UTC -4)
Hell, throw in Carter/Evans.
Kingman 26
7/9/2010-12:06pm at 12:06 pm (UTC -4)
Throwing in Carter would get us LESS!
njstuckintx
7/9/2010-11:53am at 11:53 am (UTC -4)
in a heartbeat.
trs86
7/9/2010-11:54am at 11:54 am (UTC -4)
But obviously it would take more. Right now they maybe could get Werth for Vasquez and a reliever.
ceetar
7/9/2010-12:13pm at 12:13 pm (UTC -4)
Frenchy AND Parnell?
DNDJohan aka kistics
7/9/2010-12:19pm at 12:19 pm (UTC -4)
I don’t see the Phillies giving up Werth. And the Yanks need a reliever too.
From what I’m hearing the Yanks need relief help more than outfielders. And they need utility man more than outfielders to back up ARod.
oleosmirf
7/9/2010-12:02pm at 12:02 pm (UTC -4)
absolutely a pass on Vasquez. his history in big games as well as his problem in 2 seperate stints with the Yankees is enough for me to be concerned.
id rather have Lilly or Oswalt.
trs86
7/9/2010-12:05pm at 12:05 pm (UTC -4)
Guy was great for the Braves last year and has been very good in the NL. Not taking his results in NYAL for the way he would pitch for the NYNL.
trs86
7/9/2010-12:05pm at 12:05 pm (UTC -4)
Of course I would rather have either you mentioned too. However, just thought Vasquez might be cheaper.
trs86
7/9/2010-12:08pm at 12:08 pm (UTC -4)
Also, I really don’t get the trade for Lee anyway unless they are trading Vasquez. Burnett makes too much to get traded and surely they would not bounce Hughes back to the pen again.
metsfan4decades
7/9/2010-12:16pm at 12:16 pm (UTC -4)
Actually, some are speculating it makes sense for just that reason – limiting Hughes’ innings/appearances by putting him back in the pen where he excelled as well – plus their pen has problems right now.
I’m also reading where even the Yankee fans are saying Montero(?) while a big bat is horrible with defense behind the plate. If that’s true, how is it he projects as 4th overall prospect? I guess I just don’t understand enough about these minor league rankings.
stickguy
7/9/2010-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
I believe Hughes is likely to run into an innings limit thi syear. So, quite possible by the end of the year he will be in the pen anyway. But certainly not this early, but who knows with them.
trs86
7/9/2010-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
So people rag the Mets about Mejia and the Yanks continually shift Hughes and Joba back and forth.
stickguy
7/9/2010-12:52pm at 12:52 pm (UTC -4)
what, are you just realizing that there is a double standard in the media regarding the 2 NY teams? Pay attention man!
Anyway, at this point, I think Joba is in the pen for good. And Hughes only goes back if he needs to be shut down for innings reason, so not quite the same thing. Who knows, the Mets might have the same issue with Neise at some point.
trs86
7/9/2010-12:56pm at 12:56 pm (UTC -4)
But it looks like we just did that to Mejia in reverse.
Mr North Jersey
7/9/2010-12:54pm at 12:54 pm (UTC -4)
I think they ragged about the Joba and Hughes situation as well I believe.
oleosmirf
7/9/2010-12:10pm at 12:10 pm (UTC -4)
he was great for the Braves and in other places as well but the stigma (whether true or not) that he cant win big games and that he cant handle NY is enough for me to look elsewhere.
His ERA in the postseason is over 10.00 and while the sample size is small, its enough of a red flag for me to go with someone else…
trs86
7/9/2010-12:12pm at 12:12 pm (UTC -4)
Lilly’s postseason numbers are also disastrous. His last appearance was 3.1 innings in 2007 where he gave up 6 runs and 11 baserunners.
oleosmirf
7/9/2010-12:18pm at 12:18 pm (UTC -4)
however his only other postseason start, he gave up 0 runs.
trs86
7/9/2010-12:30pm at 12:30 pm (UTC -4)
So he has had another 3.1 inning start giving up 4 runs. So basically he has been terrible. His 2002 PS was terrible, his 2003 was good, his 2007 was terrible.
njstuckintx
7/9/2010-12:16pm at 12:16 pm (UTC -4)
If it were truely possible to get Vazquez for Frenchy (which prob isn’t) and the added salary wouldn’t be an issue (it prob. would be), there really isn’t anything stopping them from getting Roy-O or Lilly as well. Taka and Dickey are great stories, but having Vazquez as your 5 and Roy/lilly at the top 1/2 of your rotation would be crazy deep. You’d be thin on OF’s, but I’d rather be thin in the OF and thick with the P (sounds not right stating it like that) than the other way around.
oleosmirf
7/9/2010-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
Dickey is fine for the #5 SP…you only need 3-4 SP in the playoffs.
also why would the Yankees want Francouer, they have Swisher in RF
njstuckintx
7/9/2010-12:21pm at 12:21 pm (UTC -4)
I’m with you, just working with the proposal listed above.
DNDJohan aka kistics
7/9/2010-12:13pm at 12:13 pm (UTC -4)
I wish Oswalt is next on their list, but I guess Lily is.
Who would you rather have considering money, prospect, etc?
njstuckintx
7/9/2010-12:17pm at 12:17 pm (UTC -4)
Roy.
DNDJohan aka kistics
7/9/2010-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
Me too. But if the Mets are broke as many reports have said, Lily makes more sense to the team.
njstuckintx
7/9/2010-12:22pm at 12:22 pm (UTC -4)
Making Houston eat some cash on it for prospects and letting frenchy walk next year, the overall increase in cash-ola wouldn’t be horrible.
trs86
7/9/2010-12:32pm at 12:32 pm (UTC -4)
The same amount saying they are broke are out there saying they are not. Any time the Mets don’t spend foolishly the media makes up a story about no having the money to do it.
DNDJohan aka kistics
7/9/2010-12:46pm at 12:46 pm (UTC -4)
But my point over and over is what’s holding them up on Oswalt if they are not broke? I think the only reason the Mets are less interested in Oswalt is the $$ owed to him.
I realize $30-40M is a lot of money, but you can’t get a pitcher of that caliber for any less either. Especially if can give up very little prospects to get him.
trs86
7/9/2010-12:50pm at 12:50 pm (UTC -4)
Most likely the fact that right now EVERY report says the Astros want top prospects, period.
oleosmirf
7/9/2010-12:20pm at 12:20 pm (UTC -4)
Roy
stickguy
7/9/2010-12:25pm at 12:25 pm (UTC -4)
well, the money we pretty much know (depending on what if any Houston eats).
But assuming the Mets take on the full salary, what are the prospects that we are considering, since that is a huge question?
Oh, and while Roy is probably a better guy to try, don’t snooze on Lilly. He was fantastic last year (145 ERA+, and a 1.05ish whip), and is pitching almost as well this year for a crappy team.
Mejia, F Mart and THole for Roy, vs. Duda + Gee for Lilly? I go for Lilly.
Mejia + tejada for Oswalt vs. Tejada + Gee for Lilly? Probably Roy.
trs86
7/9/2010-12:34pm at 12:34 pm (UTC -4)
You are right it really depends on the prospects given up.
GravediggerHebner
7/9/2010-12:35pm at 12:35 pm (UTC -4)
As a late riser I’m behind the news a bit so please forgive me.
If Lee to the Yanks who is the odd man out of Yanks rotation and should the Mets be in on that?
GravediggerHebner
7/9/2010-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
NYBD just tweeted:
Hearing that its possible that F-Mart and a pitching prospect (Mark Cohoon type) could land Javier Vazquez.
trs86
7/9/2010-12:37pm at 12:37 pm (UTC -4)
OK.
stickguy
7/9/2010-12:55pm at 12:55 pm (UTC -4)
If they trade F Mar tto the yankees for Vazquez, I will be very upset. Might push me into an immediate Mets boycott.
Watching him become an all star in the bronx, after seeing Vazquez pitch like Victor Zambrano, will be too much for me to take.
oleosmirf
7/9/2010-1:35pm at 1:35 pm (UTC -4)
+1
trs86
7/9/2010-12:36pm at 12:36 pm (UTC -4)
That what we were discussing right above. I would assume if they trade someone it would be Vasquez and if not then Hughes goes back to the pen.
GravediggerHebner
7/9/2010-12:45pm at 12:45 pm (UTC -4)
Well Lee to the Yanks sucks for me on a general baseball fan level. I always liked, followed & rooted for Lee with the Indians. When he went to Philly I couldn’t do that anymore. Then he went to Seattle and I was able to do those things again. Now I won’t be able to, again. Damned yo-yo that is Cliff Lee fandom.
Mr North Jersey
7/9/2010-12:58pm at 12:58 pm (UTC -4)
Grave did you hear the rumor that the Yanks may consider then shipping Vasquez to Philly for Werth?
trs86
7/9/2010-12:59pm at 12:59 pm (UTC -4)
MLBTR had a report that listed that at 50-1. Not sure.
Mr North Jersey
7/9/2010-1:01pm at 1:01 pm (UTC -4)
what is this Vegas?
trs86
7/9/2010-1:33pm at 1:33 pm (UTC -4)
Ask them.
metsfan4decades
7/9/2010-12:49pm at 12:49 pm (UTC -4)
Per MLTBR:
Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports (via Twitter) that the Mets will ‘turn strongly’ to Cubs starter Ted Lilly now that Lee is on the brink of joining the Yankees. As Sherman explains here, the Mets do like Roy Oswalt – they just aren’t comfortable paying the vast majority of his salary and giving up good prospects.
*******************************
I’ve lost track…what is Lilly’s contract situation?
trs86
7/9/2010-12:51pm at 12:51 pm (UTC -4)
about 5M left and FA after this year.
stickguy
7/9/2010-12:56pm at 12:56 pm (UTC -4)
and currently on track to be a type A FA. So, if he pitches well, offer arb. If he accepts, you have a solid SP for 1 more year. If he walks, 2 picks.
trs86
7/9/2010-12:57pm at 12:57 pm (UTC -4)
True, I think there would be a good chance he would take it.
ceetar
7/9/2010-1:59pm at 1:59 pm (UTC -4)
why wouldn’t he want to resign with a team that he just got a ring with?
I’d definitely be happy with Ted.
gategem
7/9/2010-12:53pm at 12:53 pm (UTC -4)
This is why baseball has become a joke when compared to the NFL. You may as well give the Yankees their 28th title and let the rest of the league play for runner-up. The NFL has it right. Only through a salary cap can you generate a level playing field. That’s why it’s the number 1 sport in the nation. Fortunately, training camps open in only three weeks.
trs86
7/9/2010-12:56pm at 12:56 pm (UTC -4)
Sigh…
GravediggerHebner
7/9/2010-1:12pm at 1:12 pm (UTC -4)
The NBA, on the other hand, has the salary cap thing all wrong. If MLB were to institute a cap they’d damn well better get it right.
Since the NFL cap involves lots of non-guaranteed money I don’t see the MLBPA ever going for it.
Isn’t the NFL about to enter an un-capped year with no contract for the future yet in place? They have a lot of work and compromising to do over the next year or so.
ceetar
7/9/2010-1:31pm at 1:31 pm (UTC -4)
no one cares about the integrity of the NFL though. No one cares that they treat the players, and the retirees, like crap. No one cares if you cheat and take drugs.
ceetar
7/9/2010-1:29pm at 1:29 pm (UTC -4)
definitely not the number 1 sport in the nation. It’s just set up in a way that makes it seem that way. The one day a week, gambling, aspect of it all.
But yes, the MLB needs a salary range, it can even be ridiculous and work (60-160 or something)
trs86
7/9/2010-1:32pm at 1:32 pm (UTC -4)
Thing is yes it makes the Yanks competitive every year but it does not win them a WS every year. It’s not like the Patriots, Colts, etc don’t compete every year. There are always ways around a salary cap. Example look at the new Justice League in Miami. Also, you don’t have a minors in either of those other sports. No matter what in baseball the Yanks are going to have an advantage because of the money they bring in.
ceetar
7/9/2010-1:57pm at 1:57 pm (UTC -4)
The biggest ‘sin’ in my mind is guys like Halladay, who are running out their contract and they know, and their team knows, it’s not in their financial budget to keep them.
Look at what the Marlins did with Josh Johnson. They were stealing money, the league told them to spend more, so they gave the money to the top guy in their team. This is how it would play out if there was a salary range. teams would try to keep their big studs. The financially rich could still buy their way out of a couple of mistakes, but not an unlimited amount of them.
trs86
7/9/2010-2:11pm at 2:11 pm (UTC -4)
How would that have changed the Halladay situation?
ceetar
7/9/2010-2:25pm at 2:25 pm (UTC -4)
It might not of, but the Blue Jays basically came out and said they can’t complete and wanted to ‘rebuild’ or wahtever. with more competitive balance, maybe they wouldn’t have felt so outclassed.
trs86
7/9/2010-2:34pm at 2:34 pm (UTC -4)
Hmmm, not sure I see it. They could not have afforded Halladay anyway because of that terrible Wells contract and needed a lot more talent than just Halladay.
Mr North Jersey
7/9/2010-2:08pm at 2:08 pm (UTC -4)
Well if you believe ESPN 710 in Seattle it looks like the 3 players will be
2B David Adams
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=adams-002dav
C Jesus Montero
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=monter001jes
P Zach McAllister
http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=mcalli001zac
Mr North Jersey
7/9/2010-4:34pm at 4:34 pm (UTC -4)
I knew I should of waited till it was official to post where Lee went.
Look at it now all day B.S. and still no resolution to where Lee will end up.