BALTIMORE — The Yankees and Mariners have yet to discuss Cliff Lee. But why would they?
Do you think Seattle officials actually have to call their Yankees counterparts to know the Yankees will be interested when they make Lee available? File that under doh.
At this moment, according to several executives, Seattle has mobilized its pro scouts throughout the minors. The Mariners will determine which contenders have multiple prospects they like, enabling them to narrow the number of teams they will seriously engage after determining they will definitely move Lee.
Organizations generally do not focus heavy resources on the July 31 trade deadline until the draft concludes, which happened this week. For now, the White Sox, under aggressive GM Kenny Williams, are the only organization apparently willing to act.
That is not inconsequential since they have elements such as Paul Konerko and A.J. Pierzynski who could entice suitors. And keep an eye on Matt Thornton, a lefty reliever the Yankees — among others — have long desired.
As for the Mariners, they are still maintaining those slim hopes of soaring back into the AL West race. One AL personnel man said, “I would expect to see Lee traded barring a 20 out of the next 30 run by the Mariners. I would not think he’d be traded this month, but if Seattle wants the best return, it would be better off doing it now.”
Whenever they decide to market Lee, the Mariners “are not going to hurt for suitors,” an NL personnel man said. Attention is galvanized on the Yanks because of the strong assumption within the game that they already are the frontrunners to sign him as a free agent.
But Mets officials tell me that if they remain contenders, they will definitely obtain a starter. That likely will be a mid-rotation innings eater (think someone such as Baltimore’s Kevin Millwood or Cleveland’s Jake Westbrook). But Mets executives claim they will definitely check in on Lee.
It will not be easy for the Yankees and Mariners to deal. The Yanks thought Seattle’s asking price last July for back-end starter Jarrod Washburn was too high — Austin Jackson and either Manuel Banuelos or Zach McAllister.
The Yanks currently believe Seattle would not move Lee without obtaining one of their top position prospects, Jesus Montero or Austin Romine. The Yanks are against giving up elite prospects for half a season of a player. And GM Brian Cashman has long been against giving up prospects and paying free-agent dollars to retain a star within one deal.
So, with the rotation currently pitching well, the Yanks are not prioritizing Lee, despite loving him as a pitcher. However, one Yankees official said, “Who knows what the pressures will be and what we’ll need in July?”
Here is a key element: Will the Mariners ultimately take a good — but not great — deal worth more than the two compensation picks they would receive if they kept Lee? If so, the Yanks undoubtedly will play hard for Lee.
This is just me offering a scenario — in other words, this is not from an executive of the Yanks or any other team: I wonder, with Javier Vazquez pitching better, if the Yanks could trade him to an NL team such as the Cardinals, Dodgers or, heck, even Mets and obtain two prospects they know Seattle likes and then package that with one or two of their good prospects such as, say, David Phelps and/or David Adams to get Lee.
Remember, if the season ended today, Vazquez would not be one of the Yanks’ four postseason starters, while Lee might start Game 1. With Lee, the Yanks could put Phil Hughes in relief in September onward to keep him from exceeding his innings limit while bulking up the pen.
Vazquez is additionally attractive because he also is currently a Type-A free agent, which means he could bring two draft picks for next year, as well, to an acquiring team. Plus, to help bring better prospects, the Yanks could kick in $2 million of Vazquez’s salary yet remain cost neutral because Lee is making $2.5 million less than Vazquez this season.
So a lot of scenarios will be pursued when it comes to Lee between now and July 31.