MLB

If Lee gets 7-year deal, won’t be from Yankees

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The White Whale of the Winter Meetings is whether some team actually has offered Cliff Lee a seven-year contract and whether the lefty would sign such a deal if the proposal was from a non-contender.

The Yankees, as The Post reported yesterday, have vowed in their internal strategy sessions not to go beyond a six-year offer to Lee, who turns 33 during next August.

Nevertheless, SI.com reported yesterday that Lee has two seven-year bids for more than $20 million annually.

Is it real? Or is it just a ploy by Lee’s agent, Darek Braunecker, to prod further bidding from other contenders, especially from the Yankees?

The Rangers have not seemed willing to go to even six years, though Texas officials, including president Nolan Ryan, met with Braunecker again yesterday and expressed renewed confidence that they could retain the ace lefty.

There had been speculation that the Nationals, who shocked the sport by going to seven years with Jayson Werth, would do the same with Lee. But Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo continued to describe the organization as having just a slim chance with Lee.

So could there be a mystery team to upset the expected Yankees-Ranger showdown? I thought maybe it could be the Cubs, but was told they are not serious pursuers. Could the Angels turn to Lee rather than Carl Crawford and then use high-end starting pitching (Dan Haren? Jered Weaver?) to obtain offense in a trade? Angels general manager Tony Reagins told the Los Angeles Times that his club is not offering seven years. There was some buzz about the Brewers, but these dollars seem beyond their means.

Maybe it really is the Nationals. One executive told me Washington’s spending urge is being fueled by a perfect storm of an 85-year-old owner (Ted Lerner) who wants to win now and his son (Mark), who aggressively wants to make a name for himself and the franchise. As an NL executive said, “Once you give Jayson Werth seven years all bets are off for what you will do next.”

If there really are offers north of where the Yankees are willing to go — and the max would probably be six years at $150 million — then what happens? The Yankees say they would ignore their main offseason target and that they have other alternatives, but none look particularly pretty when it comes to their rotation, which also might lose Andy Pettitte to retirement.

As of yesterday afternoon, the Yankees had followed Braunecker’s request not yet to make an offer, a strategy that is making the Yankees uneasy and wondering if there really is a team that would give a seventh year to a player who is perceived in the industry as wanting the last penny.

“[Lee] will take the highest and most years,” said an executive from a team on which Lee has played. “I would be shocked if that is not the case.” Another executive who had Lee as a player concurred saying, “Would he go to a non-contender for the most money? Yeah, I think so.”

Usually the Yankees will spend the most money for what they want. Will they actually be outbid this time?

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The Rockies signed Ty Wiggington for two years at $8 million. Early this offseason they obtained second baseman/third baseman Jose Lopez with the idea he could play first base and tried — and failed — to land Lance Berkman. All of these confirm what sources tell me about the Rockies, that they are worried about having to trust Todd Helton and his chronic back condition to make it through a full season healthy and productive.

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The A’s have been linked to trade interest in Carlos Beltran, but do not believe the switch-hitter would waive his no-trade clause to come play his home games in one of the most unfriendly parks to hitters in his walk year.

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Recently fired Yankees pitching coach Dave Eiland has accepted a front office job with the Rays.

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Former Yankees and Mets hitting coach Rick Down was hired to be the Mariners roving minor league hitting instructor.

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Mark Prior‘s agent, John Boggs, said there is mutual interest with the Yankees, but they haven’t reached a deal. The Rangers also are interested in the 30-year-old former Cubs right-hander, whose career has been derailed by arm injuries.

The Yankees haven’t worked him out yet, but saw him in an independent league and Triple-A. He would be signed to a minor-league contract with a chance to make the major league roster. The Yankees drafted Prior in 1998, but he didn’t sign because the two sides couldn’t agree on money.