Cliff Lee TRADE... the longer it goes... the less our chances??

[Coach1310]

Anyone else think the Twins have already blown their chance at landing Lee?? I know it is out of the norm for them, but this recent stretch has definitely shown we need an arm OR TWO! Who knows how interested they are, but my feeling is the longer this goes on and the more of a bidding war it becomes the less our chances.... what odds do you give the Twins in landing him?

I say.... 40%

[Getanet]

I don't know if I would have put our chances at 40%, even optimistically. But I will agree with you the longer it goes the less our chances. If only because our starting pitching is stinking up the joint and the value of Baker, Blackburn or Slowey is sinking like a rock.

[thatoneguy]

The Twins have next to zero chance at Lee. Their farm system is almost devoid of top-level prospects, and renting Lee for half a season would mean giving away what little potential talent they have developed (probably Revere, Ramos + at least one pitcher).

Now, whether or not they SHOULD give up that much is an open question. I'm of the opinion that they absolutely should make the move. Any (non-Yankee) team's window of opportunity to legitimately contend for a World Series is finite, and the Twins have a real shot now. Their one sticking point the last several years has been lacking a true ACE pitcher to shut down the big boppers in the playoffs. As Lee just showed, he can dominate the Yankees - and that's exactly what MN needs.

What good is it to hold onto a blue-chip prospect or two, when there's no guarantee that when they're called up to the bigs that the Twins will be fielding as good a lineup then as they are now? I say you have to roll the dice when you KNOW you have the firepower to be a title threat.

[bisonthunder]

Does anyone actually think Ramos will ever see much playing time for the Twins? He is 4th on our catching depth chart. His stock is the highest it will ever be, not moving him now is a waste. We NEED Lee, even if its for 1/2 a season. Besides we pick up 2 - 1st rounders if he leaves, which is just what the doctor ordered for our farm system.

[Born2Fish]

I say pull the trigger on this one. I think the Twins have catcher pretty much sealed up for some time to come. Plus if they throw in Revere(I think we have center field/leadoff pretty sealed up too)it wouldn't hurt us either. I think that if the Twins are serious about making a World Series run, they make this deal happen. PULL THE TRIGGER!!!!!

[PierBridge]

Sounds like Seattle wants 3 top prospects.

[Getanet]

The problem is Seattle has all the power. The Twins could hand them their entire farm system roster with a highlighter and say, "pick any three you want."

Unfortunately Seattle isn't in a huge hurry and they know the longer they hold out, the more other teams will convince themselves Lee could put them over the hump. If I was Seattle I wouldn't pull the trigger now either. They have about a month to field offers from other teams, and I'm sure they'll listen to each and everyone of them.

[Scott K]

I dont think the Twins were really ever in the running to get him. They may have placed a phone call, just to get the feelers out there , but that is about it. I also dont think there are that many teams in the hunt that would be trying to land him. At most 8 teams that are in contention, maybe half of those that need a starter more then any other hole in their team, and of those that will part with a couple premier prospects, maybe 2. Anyone who signs him, knows he will be a rental player. There is no way, if he stays healthy this year, he isnt in free agency next year. Then he will be off to playing for the Yankees.

[toughguy]

Sounds like Seattle wants 3 top prospects.

If that's the case forget it. Not worth it for 1/2 a season IMO. Hopfully their price comes down as the deadline approaches.

[Coach1310]

After Lee's performance vs. the Yanks, I see our chances at about 15% right now... Price keeps going up...

I do think it is in Seattle's best interest to deal him soon. The longer the wait, teams will look elsewhere to find some pitching help. Also, some teams on the fringe could suffer and injury(or Lee could himself) that would put them out of the race for him. They won't get 3 top prospects 4 him from anyone for 1/2 a season. The only team who would really overpay are the Yanks and they are gonna sign him in the offseason anyway and of all the teams interested they need him the least....