Call it wishful thinking, but teams are still chasing after Cliff Lee of the Philadelphia Phillies. As first place in the N.L. East appears to be completely out of reach, the Phillies have become sellers and Lee is a guy they have continued to discuss with teams. Cue in the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers as they are teams with the talent and money to sign the veteran. Why can they use him, but what would have to be accomplished to obtain Lee?
Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports breaks things down. The main hurdles lie in Lee's three-year, $75 million obligation. If it's not the contract, then it's the Phillies asking price that is way too steep for a lot of teams around baseball, including the Dodgers. If it's not the contract or the asking price, then it's the fact that Lee has set a blockade on baseball. He has 20 teams on his no-trade clause, meaning the Phillies would have to ask him permission if they want to move him to any of these clubs.
So advantage Dodgers when it comes to this move. Los Angeles is not on Lee's no-trade clause. They are in control of first place and trying to stay there, which is what acquiring Lee, who is 10-4 with a 3.05 ERA in 144.2 innings pitched in 2013, would help the team do as the final two months of the season are approaching. The Dodgers have a pretty young team, so letting go of a few prospects might not be a problem. In fact, the Dodgers' main concern should be cutting down Lee's contract. A $27.5 million club option in the final year of the deal would become guaranteed if Lee either pitches 400 innings in 2014-2015 or if he pitches 200 innings in 2015 alone.
The Red Sox are on Lee's no-trade clause. However, he could immediately impact the club's success. The Red Sox starting pitching is fourth in baseball with 45 wins and 10th with a 3.79 ERA. However, their 1.32 WHIP is 19th in baseball. Lee is allowing just one runner on base per game, posting a 1.00 WHIP in 2013. Though the numbers won't immediately translate, at least Lee can influence the pitching rotation in Boston.
The Red Sox's payroll is a lot more flexible than the Dodgers' after the Sox made wiser offseason acquisitions. Their payroll will be under $90 million in 2014, while the Dodgers' payroll is close to $220 and dipping to $189 million in 2014. Of course, nothing guarantees these two teams win the Lee Sweepstakes, but it will be interesting to see if we have a blockbuster deal in the 2013 Trade Deadline, which expires in a little over 48 hours.
