Mariners lefty Cliff Lee has, through 11 starts, pitched at an historic level, walking just four over 86.2 innings while striking out 76. He's done this, though, for a last-place team, and though Jack Zduriencik publicly says he isn't yet willing to throw in the towel, Ken Rosenthal reports that a move could happen at any time:
Cliff Lee Trade Rumors Heating Up, With Twins As Favorites
However, two executives from clubs that have called the Mariners about Lee say that the team is indeed willing to trade the pitcher immediately for the right offer.
One of the executives, in fact, predicts that the Mariners will move Lee in 7 to 10 days, following a timetable similar to the one the Indians used when they traded left-hander CC Sabathia to the Brewers on July 7, 2008.
With the Mariners sitting 14 games out in the AL West, hanging on to Lee doesn’t make much sense. The team’s hopes for competing are dashed, and every additional start reduces the number of starts he could make for another team, and also increases the risk he gets hurt.
So it seems clear that Lee could and would be on the move soon, with his incredible effectiveness and relatively low $9m salary making him attractive to every contender in the league. Adds Rosenthal:
The picture, of course, could change at any moment, but the Twins' advantage is that they have 22 year old catching prospect Wilson Ramos in the system. Ramos is a highly-regarded young talent, and would fill a need, as the Mariners are looking for a better long-term catcher.
The M’s could also use a shortstop or a starting pitcher. Keep your eye on this storystream and Mariners blog Lookout Landing, as these rumors are only going to intensify. It’s no longer a matter of if Lee gets moved. It’s a matter of when, and to which team.
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