The only way the Indians will trade Lee, sources say, is if they are offered a potential top-of-the-rotation starter at the level of the Braves’ Tommy Hanson or Red Sox’s Clay Buchholz.
Such a pitcher would be the centerpiece of the Indians’ multiplayer demand. And unless ownership orders a reduction in payroll, the Indians will not going to budge.
Lee, the 2008 American League Cy Young award winner, remains part of the Indians’ plans not just for this season but also next year. The team, which lacks a suitable replacement, can retain him by exercising his $8 million club option.
The Dodgers engaged in serious talks with the Indians last summer for left-hander CC Sabathia and third baseman Casey Blake, then obtained Blake for minor-league catcher Carlos Santana and pitcher Jon Meloan.
They do not match up as well for Lee.
The Dodgers’ best young starting pitchers, right-hander Chad Billingsley and lefty Clayton Kershaw, are part of the major-league rotation and all but untouchable. Their best pitching prospect, right-hander James McDonald, is not considered top-of-the-rotation material.
Thus, a package of say McDonald, third baseman Blake DeWitt and one or two other prospects would not be enough to satisfy the Indians. The Phillies have also asked about Lee, but balked at the price, sources say.
Teams will continue to covet Lee, who is 4-4 with a 2.20 ERA in his last 13 starts. The best guess is that he will not be traded, but the market currently is devoid of starting pitchers who are difference-makers.
In the end, the Indians might get what they want.
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1. Vaux, A.B.D. Posted: June 25, 2009 at 04:24 AM (#3232195)I doubt I would do this, but would it be defensible?
It would be a stupid trade for the team with the best record in the majors to make, a team which is about to get back its best player anyway.
He's 21, but your point stands.
It would be a stupid trade for the team with the best record in the majors to make, a team which is about to get back its best player anyway.
Um, yeah.
The Dodgers could use an extra arm in the bullpen and power off the bench. Other than that, the record shows this is a very good team.
I expect at least one kid up in the bullpen by August - but if there's an overpriced but effective vet available, I'd hope the Dodgers would get in the market for him - they can spend the savings on Manny to bring in a good vet reliever.
A top starter would be nice, but not worth the price.
Take Leach for instance, only LH in the bullpen, can pitch to RH batters as well, and Torre won't use him due to his fear of burning his only lefty reliever.
Going further into it - he's pitched with zero rest 7 times. With one day rest 8 times. With 2 days rest 4 times. And once with 4 days rest, once with 5 days rest. He is being used as a loogie, but he's pitched in 22 of the 43 games since he made his debut. There are pitchers not being used (some with good cause) but Leach isn't one of them.
But that's why I want a solid vet, obtained because of a huge contract. Torre will give him a real shot. I also want Lindblom promoted in August. His spring training performance should get Torre to give him some sort of shot.
And my argument isn't that he isn't used at all, but should be used as regularly as Troncoso and Belisario. At least no more treating Leach as a LOOGY, he isn't. He's better than that.
The problem would seem to be that they don't have a potential top-of-the-rotation starter after Carrasco's struggles this year (and maybe not even before them, depending on your scouting report). But the article suggests that Cleveland had some package in mind that they proposed.
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