Will they make a trade or won't they? Various reports have the Indians all over the board in possibly dealing Cliff Lee or Victor Martinez. ESPN said the Indians have been very "aggressive" in trade talks about the two. SI says the chances for trading Lee and Victor Martinez have risen. Others have the Indians probably not doing a deal. The Associated Press reports that the Phillies have made an offer for Lee (but it doesn't include Kyle Drabek, which would be my starting point).
The more I ponder, the more I think trading Lee would not be the best course of action. Yes, it can bring some young talent in return. But pitchers like Lee — and he's been incredibly effective — do not come around. He has raised his skills to be among the elite in the game, and he can anchor a rotation.
When the season started, I didn't think he could do that two years in a row. He has. His numbers this season are almost every bit as good as last — except for the won-lost record, which is largely a product of run support. All those facts could in fact be an argument for trading him, that his value will never be higher. I get that.
But Lee is under the Indians control next season, with a contract worth $9 million. Yes, the Indians are going to take a financial hit this season. But that hit should not be enough to trade an ace. Never say never of course. The Indians attitude seems to be that they'd have to be bowled over to make a trade, and that's the right one.
It just seems that if their hopes are to compete in 2010, then Lee would and should be part of the puzzle.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I guess. Cliff is a guy who was absolutely justifiably demoted to triple a two years ago, and didn't honestly earn a spot in the rotation until he forced his way on last year.
So, you've got a guy who started his career with some nice years where he got ridiculous run support – then got rightfully bounced to AAA, then came back for 18 months of dominance.
So as good as he's been – and he's been flipping awesome – i'm not entirely sold that he's a "anchor a rotation" guy for next year and if you can turn him into solid prospects that you couldn't get anywhere else, I do it.
That being said, that's a high stakes game, and I'm a wingnut on a blog response and the consequences of me being wrong are the disapproval of a dumpy irish guy and his hoardes of followers. i suppose mark shapiro's stakes are a smidgen higher.
if shapiro unloads lee for anything less than every shred of talent in the phillies minor leagues and at least one serviceable major league player he should be strung up by his nads and marched down euclid avenue. lee has a team option for $8 million next year. are there any other cy young winners available for that kind of scratch?
Pat, all your points are correct on Lee, except I just don't get the "this means the Indians won't contend in 2010 argument." I see no logical, realistic scenario that brings the pitching to this team in 2010 in order to contend. Since this is the case, he needs to be dealt along with Victor and get the maximum return possible. They are both great players, but great players on a last place team and won't be here in 2011. I don't buy the attendance argument either since attendance will not pick up until the team is a winner and I just don't see that happening in 2010.
Signing them is great, but they are both getting up there and I guarantee you the team that signs both to their next contract will regret it at the end of that deal.
I guess I've grown numb to it all, but I don't care who they get in return, we don't ever develop these kids to their fullest development.
If Shapiro would come out and say, "here, when the season is over, we're rehauling our minor league coaching/managing system and we will concentrate on developing our players into major leaguers instead of throwing them on the 25-man roster by default", I might not be so irked. But what are they going to do with Perez, Lewis (x2), Jackson, Laffey, Sowers, etc. And what about all these guys they drafted or have had in the organization.
A little clarification would do the genius some good. And some straight talk. But as it stands right now, he and Mr. Dolan are treading into Art Modell/Bill Belicheck territory in my book.
…waiting for Alan's critique…
get the rope!
it's time for a testicle pulling contest!
c'mon markie, bring eric with you too! no, this won't hurt a bit!