Cliff Lee

[Scott K]

It sounds as though we may soon find out, if the Twins want to win this year or not.

Quote:

According to Jim Duquette of Sirius XM Radio and MLB Network, Cliff Lee told people around the club that Tuesday may have been his last start as a Mariner.

There's always the chance that it could be, as Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik would be silly to turn down an offer that he deems appropriate. It's no shock. Of all the names we will hear bandied about over the next month, Lee is the most likely one to go.

[toughguy]

That leader we're missing so badly (Redmond) grounded out to the right fielder, yes the right fielder, with the bases loaded tonight. I think the Twinkies made the right choice letting him go.

[Scott K]

Quote:

A source tells Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that there are "interesting discussions" and "possibilities" that Cliff Lee could be sent to the Twins.

It's unclear if this means the two sides are currently talking or anything is imminent, but it's interesting nonetheless. The Twins obviously have the prospects to get a deal done right now. It's just a matter of whether the Mariners value those prospects over other team's prospects.

Quote:

A source tells Jeff Fletcher of AOL Fanhouse that the Twins have offered prospect outfielder Aaron Hicks and prospect catcher Wilson Ramos to the Mariners for left-hander Cliff Lee.

That's a pretty serious bid. In fact, it might be too much of a price to pay. Hicks, 20, was selected No. 14 overall in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. He has a 792 OPS over parts of three seasons in the minor leagues. Ramos is perhaps the most expendable trade chip for the club thanks to the presence of Joe Mauer. The 22-year-old catcher is batting just .208 with Triple-A Rochester this season, but has a .281 batting average over five seasons in the minors with decent pop and a fine reputation behind the plate. Sending Ramos makes good sense, especially if the M's value a catcher as much as we hear they do. Adding Hicks to sweeten the pot would probably get the deal done, but it's an awful lot for a rental. Jul. 6 - 12:04 am et

[Scott K]

If they are throwing in Hicks, they better have plans on signing Lee for a few years, otherwise, it is way to much!

[B. Amish]

what kind of free agent is he and what does that mean if he signs elsewhere after the season?

[pegleg]

I heard Bill Smith on the radio yesterday and Seattle could hang on to him and just let Cliff Lee leave after the season. Seattle would get 2 first round draft choices if they can't sign him at the end of the season. Seattle is also looking for more from the Twins than just two good players like Ramos and Hicks because they could get that anyway at the end of the season with 2 first round picks. I would say it might be Ramos, Hicks and Blackburn that are being offered - maybe Slowey in place of Blackburn.

[hcmpls1]

I heard Bill Smith on the radio yesterday and Seattle could hang on to him and just let Cliff Lee leave after the season. Seattle would get 2 first round draft choices if they can't sign him at the end of the season. Seattle is also looking for more from the Twins than just two good players like Ramos and Hicks because they could get that anyway at the end of the season with 2 first round picks. I would say it might be Ramos, Hicks and Blackburn that are being offered - maybe Slowey in place of Blackburn.

I met Blackburn and Nathan the other day and I made a comment about how I was excited for Nathan to come back and close out games for the starting staff including Blackburn. Nathan started to say he’s on track with his rehab and he’s looking forward to being able to rejoin the team next year. While he was saying that, Blackburn said under his breath he didn’t figure to be a part of it. I really didn’t think twice, or ask him what he meant by it. I assume his agent has been prepping him that his days are numbered in Minnesota and that he’ll be trade bait. I know Smith likes to be quiet about things but has Blackburn’s name been thrown out publicly? It would make sense by his comments it has internally…

[solbes]

I don't see why the Mariners wouldn't deal Lee. True they would get 2 draft pics, but there is a lot of uncertainty even with 1st rounders. Now they can choose the player and position they need to fill by trading Lee. Much easier to read a guy who's ready to make the final jump.

And I don't see why we wouldn't want to give up 2 prospects for him, even if for only half a year. It seems like we have many of the pieces in place, but a dominant starter is still missing (apologies to Carl).

[Mudcutter]

if Lee were to come to the TWins,, it reminds me of Don Baylor in 87'. Even thou Lee is younger in the mix,, Baylor shined in the postseason.(remember the foul pole HR like yesterday) I think Lee would do the same. I wanna a TITLE. I could care less about 4 years from now and could always try to keep him. We have the lineup that can mix with the best of them,, why not take the chance??? They don't come along much for most teams. Ramos,Hicks etc.. for LEE?? Come on. I'll take that rental all the way.

[harvey lee]

I would be shocked if tyhe Twins got Lee.

Mauer will never be a leader per say.

Thats just not Joe. Joe can lead in what he does and how he plays but I do not see Joe doing anything else.

I do not expect Joe to do anything other than what he does and thats playing very well.

Any MLB team would love to get Joe, leader or not.

[greebs]

think the liklihood of getting Lee is less and less every day. more teams showing interest now is raising the stakes. Maybe Oswalt or Haren are still possibilities?

[mrklean]

yeah havent heard anything on oswalt in awhile

[Jim Uran]

Tomorrow, Seattle Mariners hurler Cliff Lee(notes) goes up against the team he tamed twice in the World Series last year when he was with the Philadelphia Phillies: the New York Yankees. But before then, there are sure to be a slew of rumors involving the pitcher that have him going to the Yanks, Phillies, New York Mets, Texas Rangers, Cincinnati Reds, Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins, and who knows where else.

FOXSports is reporting that an offer made by the Twins that was once believed to be Wilson Ramos(notes) and Aaron Hicks was actually Ramos and Kevin Slowey(notes). The site also mentions that the Reds and Mariners are talking possible names to trade "in preliminary fashion."

MLB.com has it that talks between the Rangers and Mariners are "heating up." The site reports that the Rangers aren't willing to trade Tanner Scheppers(notes) or Martin Perez(notes) for the ace. The Mariners reportedly want a "stud catcher" in the deal, which backs up the report from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that one of the names the Mariners asked the Rangers about was catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia(notes).

Whoever ends up with Lee, ESPN reports that it'll take "two blue-chip prospects" and another young player to get the deal done. That's a hefty price for a guy who will be under contract for only a couple of months.

[zamboni]

Give them what they want and GET ER DUN.

[Born2Fish]

Amen!

[B. Amish]

i kinda hope it blows up in the mariners face and they don't end up trading him.

[zamboni]

i kinda hope it blows up in the mariners face and they don't end up trading him.

OR they wait too long and get lowballed, ALA, Johan to the Mets after we turned down the Red Sox better offer. That was awesome!!

[SledNeck]

OR they wait too long and get lowballed, ALA, Johan to the Mets after we turned down the Red Sox better offer. That was awesome!!

just think, we could have had Phil Hughes or Jon Lester

[PierBridge]

We didn't turn down the red sox offer they pulled it after learning what we already knew that yohan was damaged goods.

[boogz]

we need him

[blue_healer_guy]

Damaged goods is better than we have.

[zamboni]

yeah havent heard anything on oswalt in awhile

Threw a 1 hit shutout today. I would take that over moon-shot Scott or stink pot Scott whatever you wanna call him!

[zamboni]

We didn't turn down the red sox offer they pulled it after learning what we already knew that yohan was damaged goods.

Actually that was their offer and we wanted Bucholz, and they didn't wanna let him go. But hasn't Bucholz been in the minors for awhile?

[JBMasterAngler]

Trade prospects for lee, and trade kubel or cuddyer for oswalt. We need pitching ALOT more than we need one of those guys! I thought this year would've been our best chance to get past the 1st round and maybe into the world series, but now it's looking like we won't even finish 2nd in our division.

[hcmpls1]

Trade prospects for lee, and trade kubel or cuddyer for oswalt. We need pitching ALOT more than we need one of those guys! I thought this year would've been our best chance to get past the 1st round and maybe into the world series, but now it's looking like we won't even finish 2nd in our division.

I agree 100% with everything you just said!