Ryan: Don't you feel like a guy whose strikeout to walk ratio is an unbelievable 15:1 should not be shopped every single year? It's not like Cliff Lee is a mediocre pitcher that miiiiight be able to help a team get over the hump. He's the best damn pitcher in baseball, and is only rivaled by the likes of Ubaldo, Josh Johnson, Halladay, Lincecum, Carpenter, and Wainwright. Lee has won the Cy Young, pitched successfully in both leagues, tossed a Complete Game in the World Series, and had a season in which he was 22 and 3 with a 2.55 ERA. How can this guy continuously be shipped to team after team?
When he won the Cy Young in 2008 with Cleveland, he was inexplicably on the market the very next season. Maybe they thought that season was a fluke, but he never should have been traded after a historic season such as that. In 2009, he was the second-half MVP of the National League, pitched incredibly well for the Phillies, and was dumped in a trade for Roy Halladay, a pitcher considered to have the best durability in the MLB. Lee was expendable again here, because the Phillies staff already had an "ace" that was a lefty, if you want to consider Cole Hamels an ace. In Seattle this season, the Mariners already had a sensational young pitcher in the form of King Felix, and may not have wanted to commit large amounts of money to a pitcher that clearly deserved it.
So, yet again, Cliff Lee has been traded, this time to Texas. His situation continues to be incredibly puzzling, and it has only gotten worse this time around. The Rangers are bankrupt, and are currently being run by the MLB. They are in no position to resign Lee after the season is over, and he will hit the market again, this time as a free agent who can choose where he wants to sign. Hopefully, Lee will get some long-term stability this time around, and can settle down in one place and maybe, just maybe, live the life all superstar pitchers in the MLB live. One home, huge paycheck, loyal fans, and a chance to win the World Series.
When he won the Cy Young in 2008 with Cleveland, he was inexplicably on the market the very next season. Maybe they thought that season was a fluke, but he never should have been traded after a historic season such as that. In 2009, he was the second-half MVP of the National League, pitched incredibly well for the Phillies, and was dumped in a trade for Roy Halladay, a pitcher considered to have the best durability in the MLB. Lee was expendable again here, because the Phillies staff already had an "ace" that was a lefty, if you want to consider Cole Hamels an ace. In Seattle this season, the Mariners already had a sensational young pitcher in the form of King Felix, and may not have wanted to commit large amounts of money to a pitcher that clearly deserved it.
So, yet again, Cliff Lee has been traded, this time to Texas. His situation continues to be incredibly puzzling, and it has only gotten worse this time around. The Rangers are bankrupt, and are currently being run by the MLB. They are in no position to resign Lee after the season is over, and he will hit the market again, this time as a free agent who can choose where he wants to sign. Hopefully, Lee will get some long-term stability this time around, and can settle down in one place and maybe, just maybe, live the life all superstar pitchers in the MLB live. One home, huge paycheck, loyal fans, and a chance to win the World Series.
Jason: I'll tell you why he keeps getting traded... MONEY!!! Cleveland is a small market team who couldn't afford to keep him long term. They knew that so they traded him even after his Cy Young. The figured if they couldn't keep him they should get something for him so they traded him to the Phillies while he was on top of his game. If Cleveland kept him until the end of his contract he would leave in free agency and they would get nothing. (see James, LeBron) Also the Indians weren't contending. Teams that are in contention don't trade an ace but teams that are out of the race try to get pieces for the future.
Last season, Lee was phenomenal for the Phillies. He had a great second half and one of the the best postseasons in history. After the season, the Phillies decided that one lefty ace was enough in Cole Hamels so Lee was traded to Seattle. The Phillies also wouldn't spend big money on a 30 year old pitcher. The Phillies had the same thinking as the Indians, if they weren't going to keep Lee they should get prospects for him.
This season has been another good one for Lee. He is 8-4 with a 2.64 ERA and has been an inning eater however he has been doing it for the lowly Mariners. Before the season, Seattle was a trendy pick to win the A.L. West however they are 35-52 and 15 games out of first so they shipped Lee of to division rival Texas. In return the Mariners got a very highly regarded first base prospect. If the Mariners aren't ready to win now they should build for the future which is what they are doing. Also Lee is a free agent after this season and there was no way that Seattle could afford to keep him so they didn't.
Now Cliff Lee is on the first place Texas Rangers. who are bankrupt and in the process of being bought. Now people would think, why would a bankrupt team trade for a soon to be free agent? Simple, they want to win now. There is a very slim chance that the Rangers will sign Lee to the mega contract that he will want. The Rangers know that if Lee pitches the remainder of the season the way he pitched last season they have a great shot of reaching the playoffs and going past the first round.
After this season Lee will have his needs sought after by the usual big spenders and will end up with a huge contract. This will be the last time Lee gets a big free agent contract and he almost certainly won't be traded again with his new contract.
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