CLIFF LEE
7 years, $160M.
No more years. No more dollars.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman said yesterday he has spoken to Cliff Lee’s agent since Thursday, and that there has been no increase in the seven years, or in the dollars — believed to be $160 million — the Yankees are offering the free-agent lefty.
Nor, Cashman said, will the Yankees up the offer.
A person with knowledge about what Lee has on the table said the Yankees’ offer is “substantially” more than that of the Rangers, who are believed to be at six years with a vesting option for the seventh.
There is an unidentified third team in the picture, but that team is only willing to go four or five years.
“No,” Cashman said twice when asked if the Yankees upped the deal or are willing to increase any aspect of it.
Of course, there always is the possibility the Yankees’ stance changes on a pitcher they must have.
Like everybody else involved, Cashman is waiting for the 32-year-old
Lee to decide. Late last week, the Rangers believed they would know something by last night — but Lee didn’t decide.
Cashman has no plans for a last-minute trip to see Lee in Arkansas. Cashman was the first to visit Lee at home, and the Rangers have trekked to Little Rock twice, with the latest one this past Thursday.
Unless that third team extends the years, the Cliff Lee Derby is a two-team competition.
The Rangers believe that Texas not having a state income tax is a recruiting advantage. Even if Lee made Texas his primary residence it’s not an issue that will be the deciding factor. And the additional Yankee dollars will easily make up for the difference.
So, too, could the endorsement money available to Lee as a Yankee instead of a Ranger.
Another thing that will likely affect Lee’s decision is, does he want to make 25 percent of the Rangers’ payroll and limit what the club can do with Josh Hamilton and making improvements via free agency in the future.
That’s not a problem for the Yankees, who aren’t shy about spending for top-shelf talent yearly.
Rangers manager Ron Washington’s gut tells him “That he’ll be here,” the manager said of his ace remaining in Texas.
If Lee lands in The Bronx, the Rangers have the pieces to acquire Zack Greinke from the Royals.
Should Lee remain a Ranger and Andy Pettitte retire, the Yankees will be left with a very questionable rotation after CC Sabathia and Phil Hughes. They don’t believe Greinke wants to pitch in New York.
They aren’t anxious to deal stud catching prospect Jesus Montero, although if Seattle is looking to deal Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez, the Yankees would have to seriously consider it.
Free agent righty Carl “American Idle” Pavano isn’t an option.
While the Yankee system is loaded with arms valued by other organizations, it would be a stretch to believe Manuel Banuelos (20 in March) and Dellin Betances (22), who have a combined six games at Double-A, would be ready to pitch in the big leagues by April.
Ivan Nova, 24 in January, has major-league experience (10 games) but still is an unknown.