Where Do You Guys See Cliff Lee Being Traded?

[The Lone Granger]

I just though I'd get your guys' opinions on this. Where do you guys see Lee getting traded. Personally to me it's going to be either the Mets or the Twins, but that's just my opinions. Where do you see him going?

[JosephC]

Twins makes the most sense. They've got the options and they've got their best prospect blocked. I really don't know about the Mets hype, they really don't have a great farm system except the one arm and I don't see them trading that for a 1 year rental. I think the Yankees makes more sense than the Mets. Then there is that 20% chance that the Mariners decide to hold onto him since they are FINALLY getting hot.

We kinda had some discussions about that over here if you wanna peak at a few people's thoughts...
http://marinersforum.com/showthread.php?253-Dave-Cameron-picks-the-Twins-to-take-Lee

[TellItToTheDA]

The Mets and Rangers would probably be the two most likely destinations, and even with the bankruptcy woes, I wouldn't count out the Rangers (though any deal they'd offer would have to completely blow me away). If the Mets' were willing to deal Jenrry Meija (Top Pitcher/Prospect in the organization), it would be difficult to pass up, since you're then looking at a future possible rotation of Felix, Vargas, Meija, Pineda, and maybe Fister. However, if you deal with the Twins, you're filling a gaping need at catcher with Wilson Ramos, and possibly getting a back end starter in Kevin Slowey.

Frankly, I don't think you can wait much longer if you're Jack Z to make a deal. After throwing two complete games, he has the league's attention. It's nearing the point where you can't build up his value any further, and you're only risking injury by sending him out to the mound every five days.

[clarknova]

Even though this is a repeat thread, I've been on record stating that I don't think it's going to be the Twins. It's a gut feeling, but it's mostly due to the fact that the Twins just simply don't make these kinds of deals unless they absolutely have to. Blackburns crappy pitching lately has made that urgency stronger, because let's face it- their rotation is not bad, but it's not going to scare the Yankees.
My guess is that they let Cliff face the Yankees in his next start- cross their fingers that he does what he does, and then stand back and let the wolves go crazy.
The Rangers, as I've stated would be awesome for these reasons: We'd hijack young talent from the current team to beat in our division and give them arguably the best pitcher in baseball for only 3 months. We're not going to win the world series this year, and the Rangers are not going to be offering any 9 figure contracts in the off season, I don't care what anyone says about bankruptcy proceedings- a team in that kind of flux does not toss around $150+ million contracts, so Cliff will be gone. We'd have at least a couple of their top young talent in our system for years. If anyone would be stupid to make that deal if it is at all financially feasible, it would be Texas, IMO.
I'm going to say if it's between the Twins, the Rangers, and the Mets, it'll be the Mets. As TellItToTheDA pointed out- Jenrry Meija would likely be integral to any deal. I've read speculation that even though Beltran is coming back, they're reticent to trade Angel Pagan, who is having either an anomaly or a breakout season. If we could get Meija and Pagan- I think we make that deal, Meija and Ike Davis would not happen, but that's another no-brainer for me. I don't see them trading Jonathan Niese and we're not going to ask for 2 pitchers alone when we have gaping holes in our offense. Anything short of those deals would require 3+ players for it to make sense to me. The Mets are also a "shoot first, ask questions later" team, so I could see them going "fine, fine, just give us LEE! Take what you want!!" (ok, that's a stretch, but I guess my point is, if you're going to rob any of the discussed teams of young talent, the team that has the largest payroll and isn't afraid to cut loose top prospects would be the way to go). That's my take. As for the injury risk, I see that- that's definitely valid, but for some reason I think Jack wants Cliff to face the Yankees, and then start the bidding!

[TellItToTheDA]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/mets/2010/06/25/2010-06-25_for_now_pagan_out_of_mets_trade_plans.html?r=sp orts%2Fbaseball%2Fmets&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+n


The Seattle Mariners still had not made pitcher Cliff Lee available as of Thursday, and had given no indication they will in the near future, according to major league sources. If they do, they will likely not find the Mets willing to part with Angel Pagan or any other major league regular.

The Mariners - or any other team - will also be unable to convince the Mets to part with Jon Niese and Ike Davis. The team is more flexible regarding its prospects than its major leaguers. Jenrry Mejia, Fernando Martinez or any other minor leaguer is available in the right deal. If Seattle does decide to trade Lee, the Mets might struggle to match other teams' offers. The Mariners are reportedly seeking young catchers, and the Mets cannot match Minnesota minor leaguer Wilson Ramos, a top catching prospect blocked by Joe Mauer.

[JosephC]

So if that report is correct and we're looking at catchers... then wouldn't that automatically mean Twins? I can't think of a better major league ready deal than to deal Lee to the twins. That would make me happy inside since one of my two favorite teams will win from a trade.

[phredmojo]

he won't be traded

[SeaTownJosh]

The m's need hiting plain and simple. The pitching looks like this

Felix
Lee
Fister
Vargas
Bedard

That is the best roatation in the leauge bar none. They need a team of ichiro and guti's.

[TellItToTheDA]

he won't be traded

Phred, are you a betting man? Because I guarantee you that he'll be gone by the deadline.

[clarknova]

Phred, are you a betting man? Because I guarantee you that he'll be gone by the deadline.

I second that. I'm all for wishful thinking though, so I would not be disappointed if the M's suddenly declared that they're extending their yearly budget by 50 million and resigning Cliff Lee while also going shopping for a bat. It's just highly, highly unlikely. I mean, I've never actually studied statistics, but I watched a show about the mathematical odds of winning the lottery where in a statistician was standing on the Empire State Building with a nickel in his hand. He asks the audience to imagine a cup on the ground on the side walk below and says that if he faced away from the street and flipped the nickel over his shoulder- the odds of that nickel landing in the cup are greater than you winning the lottery. I'd say the odds of the M's keeping Cliff Lee for the draft picks are only slightly better. Maybe if it was a Big Gulp.
The ONLY logical reason I can see the M's keeping Cliff Lee (and not expanding their payroll to have two top tier giant contract aces) would be to win enough games to make this year look LESS like a total embarrassment, let him walk and take the draft picks. Same with the Branyan trade. I read something on a blog that really put that move into context for me. Something to the effect of "even if it were Albert Pujols it wouldn't make enough of a difference to win our division this year".

In opinion update- I still wish it will be the Twins as a trade partner for Lee, but have a hard time seeing the Twins make that move. They are the best match, but I have to wonder how much of the speculation about them being the front runner comes simply from the fact that "sources close to the team" or "an anonymous AL executive speculates..." that the M's have demanded a catching prospect, and that Minnesota just makes, by far, the most sense.
In a similar matter. I have read extremely conflicting reports about my favorite to actually make the trade (not my ideal match, just the one my gut tells me will make the biggest effort), The Mets, and their unwillingness to deal certain players, and their demand for a negotiating window (see: Johan Santana). Some reports say they'll do it without a guarantee, some say they won't. Some say they will deal certain players, some that they won't. It's all smoke an mirrors. You have Tony Blengino coming out yesterday on the radio and saying the the Mariners are in a position of strength because they "don't have to trade" Cliff Lee. That's the most awesome piece of posturing I've heard lately. Beating even Jack Z's "We're not ready to give up yet. Our pitching is too good." Yeah. Anyone buy that? If you do, I have some lottery tickets to sell you.
I'm reading today that the main piece from the Mets that we would demand and has been discussed in this thread as well Jenrry Mejia has a posterior cuff strain, and will be out for a while. If that is the case AND they want a contract window with Lee, they would be, in my opinion, eliminated as a trade destination. Cliff Lee is not going to sign a contract until after the World Series. That fact- he, his agent, and the Mariners have admitted. The Mets would be out.
Also, I have read some extremely sobering statistics about Wilson Ramos. I was exploding with enthusiasm for this guy based on some other stats I read this year, and what he did in a short stint in the bigs, but I'm also reading some things that make him look like Adam Moore, and we already have Adam Moore...
In any event, the next few days/weeks are going to be interesting.

[clarknova]

This just in!
http://www.fanfeedr.com/mlb/2010/06/28/mystery-team-after-cliff-lee

More fun speculation. Have yet to look into the prospect in the article, but could be interesting... If anything, the more teams even rumored to be involved helps the M's.

[TellItToTheDA]

This just in!
http://www.fanfeedr.com/mlb/2010/06/28/mystery-team-after-cliff-lee

More fun speculation. Have yet to look into the prospect in the article, but could be interesting... If anything, the more teams even rumored to be involved helps the M's.

I must say, that's an intriguing possibility. I'd do a deal for Shelby Miller in a heartbeat. That 60/19 K/BB ratio in Single-A really stands out to me. And the guy was named the Top Prospect in the Cardinals system by Baseball America. If we could pull him away from the Cardinals, or Meija away from New York, I'd be breakdancing in the street out of sheer joy.

[clarknova]

via twitter:
# Jason A. Churchill ProspectInsider

Cards are not the "mystery team" in on C Lee. STL needs a third team, not a mystery. Hearing an EAST coast club is the mystery bidder.

Jason A. Churchill has very reliable sources. East coast club?... The plot thickens.

[TellItToTheDA]

via twitter:
# Jason A. Churchill ProspectInsider

Cards are not the "mystery team" in on C Lee. STL needs a third team, not a mystery. Hearing an EAST coast club is the mystery bidder.

Jason A. Churchill has very reliable sources. East coast club?... The plot thickens.

An east coast club? So that narrows it down to, what, 15? But seriously, if there's a mystery east coast club interested, I would have to guess that it would be the Rays. Maybe the Red Sox? Maybe the Phillies? Maybe even the Blue Jays?

[JosephC]

Rays with Cliff would win the world series. Mark me down for it.

[clarknova]

An east coast club? So that narrows it down to, what, 15?

Wow.......

[JosephC]

I'm curious why the Yankees have been eliminated from the discussions? Have they gone out and said they are not interested in Lee? They're the type of team who is willing to dish some minor league talent over to secure a world series.

[clarknova]

I think most people assume that the Yankees believe they have what it takes to win without Lee, and are planning to make a run at him after the season. They would lose nothing but money, which last I checked is not an issue.

[clarknova]

http://www.proballnw.com/06-2010/so-you-want-cliff-lee-twins/#more-5251

Good write up on Lee to Twins.

[TellItToTheDA]

Wow.......

You know, by reading the rest of that post, you could tell it was just a joke.

[TellItToTheDA]

I'm curious why the Yankees have been eliminated from the discussions? Have they gone out and said they are not interested in Lee? They're the type of team who is willing to dish some minor league talent over to secure a world series.

I don't think they've been eliminated at all. Most of us have just assumed that they'd go after Lee in the offseason. If they'd be willing to part with Francisco Cervelli or Jesus Montero or Austin Romine, then we may be cooking with fire. You can't have 3 starting catchers.

[clarknova]

You know, by reading the rest of that post, you could tell it was just a joke.

Ok, Take it easy. I actually could tell it was a joke, that was not lost on me. It came off a little like a joke at my expense. Even if it was, I should not have even addressed it. Misunderstanding. Mea Culpa. You can change your mood back now- That was a joke.

[TellItToTheDA]

Ok, Take it easy. I actually could tell it was a joke, that was not lost on me. It came off a little like a joke at my expense. Even if it was, I should not have even addressed it. Misunderstanding. Mea Culpa. You can change your mood back now- That was a joke.

Nah, I'm the one who should be apologizing here. (And I like the emoticon that comes with bitchy, thank you very much!)

[JosephC]

yeah, that is the mood I feel like all day long sometimes, so you'll see that as my mood alot lol.

[clarknova]

I can't figure out how to set my "mood". Computers and such befuddle me (disclaimer: I am NOT an elderly Quaker), if there is a "befuddled" option, that would be my current mood.

I'm going to guess that the super secret team out of the east is Atlanta. I think Philadelphia might also be a possibility simply because they need (how ironic) middle to top of the order pitching, but they would be hard to trade with because they've had a chance to see what they got from us for him before the season started and would be a hard team to squeeze talented youth from.

[TellItToTheDA]

I can't figure out how to set my "mood". Computers and such befuddle me (disclaimer: I am NOT an elderly Quaker), if there is a "befuddled" option, that would be my current mood.


Look at the dark blue bar right above "Mariners Live Chat". On the far left, it says "New Posts". Look for "My Mood" on that bar.

[clarknova]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/marinersblog/2012235524_pressure_mounts_for_mets_to_ac.html

Geoff Baker's thoughts on Lee to Mets.

[Igoe4Mariners]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/marinersblog/2012235524_pressure_mounts_for_mets_to_ac.html

Geoff Baker's thoughts on Lee to Mets.

Interesting. The Mets are looking more and more like they really want to be the team to get Clifford. Hopefully they overbuy him like crazy and we can steal their top prospects.

[phredmojo]

baker is an idiot, Z is not going to be screwed that bad

[Jared]

MLBtraderumors.com still thinks he will be traded with the next two weeks. Whenever it does happen, I still hope we send him to Minnesota. I like watching them win and they have prospects that can help us.

[SeaTownJosh]

I dont want prospects they never work out. We need a bunch of guti's. I rather have a team of 9 guti's then a team of rob johnsons.

[TellItToTheDA]

I dont want prospects they never work out. We need a bunch of guti's. I rather have a team of 9 guti's then a team of rob johnsons.

You want to know what Guti was before we got him in the Putz trade? A prospect.

You want to know what King Felix was before we brought him up for good in 2006? A prospect.

You know what Michael Pineda is? A prospect.

You getting the picture?

[SeaTownJosh]

It took years for them to get good. The yankee's dont build prospects. They just go out and get the good players who produce. We had about 100 million dollars to spend and we waste it on kotchmans bradley johnsons.

Go out and get players who produce like guti right now. We need a lineup 1-9 of players who can

Avg: .300
Home Run: 15-25
RBI: 70-100
Gold Glove
Steal: 20-50 bases

You get a team with our pitching we are world series champs

[clarknova]

Today's probably baseless opinions being passed around as facts (link to NY Post article in post):

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/06/cliff-lee-rumors-wednesday.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Nothing new. Just food for thought.

[clarknova]

It took years for them to get good. The yankee's dont build prospects. They just go out and get the good players who produce. We had about 100 million dollars to spend and we waste it on kotchmans bradley johnsons.

Go out and get players who produce like guti right now. We need a lineup 1-9 of players who can

Avg: .300
Home Run: 15-25
RBI: 70-100
Gold Glove
Steal: 20-50 bases

You get a team with our pitching we are world series champs

Well, I get what you're saying, that would be pretty rad. The Yankees actually do a really good job of developing talent from within the organization along with buying any free agent all stars they want. Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano, Mariano Rivera, and Phil Hughes for example, and those are just the ones off the top of my head. Those guys all came up through the Yankees farm system.
I understand your point, but the payroll issue was not so cut and dry. The team cut payroll and had multiple 8 figure contracts already established. Kotchman and Johnson are a drop in the bucket (talent-wise as well), and Bradley was a contract swap for Silva who EVERYBODY thought was garbage. The Cubs were just crossing their fingers that he could contribute at all because they HAD to dump Bradley. We tossed in some cash stupidly, but hindsight is 20/20. We actually spent less than 100 million this year and the big contracts we had signed were Felix, Guti, and Figgins. Two out of three aint bad.

[clarknova]

baker is an idiot, Z is not going to be screwed that bad

Lol. Awesome. Baker's not an idiot, he's just wrong a lot. "Wrong", is of course totally relative. I disagree with his ideas quite a bit, but I don't think he's unintelligent, he just has a different way of looking at baseball than I do. He's an arrogant insufferable prick to be sure, but he's not an idiot.
So, you think the pieces discussed in that article would "screw" us- I can dig it- what would be a good (and realistic) trade- ie. where would you like to see him go, and for what?

[clarknova]

http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/hardball/up_the_cliff_lee_edition_bz4TWCjJ4K2sd2wlGyGlKM

Good follow up to linked article in earlier post. Interesting take on Mets players from a NY perspective, and interesting take on what Jack will likely do. I don't see this trade, to whatever team we end up dealing with, happening until after the all star break. And I still hope for the Twins, but see the Mets as the most likely "overbidder".

[TellItToTheDA]

It took years for them to get good. The yankee's dont build prospects. They just go out and get the good players who produce. We had about 100 million dollars to spend and we waste it on kotchmans bradley johnsons.

Go out and get players who produce like guti right now. We need a lineup 1-9 of players who can

Avg: .300
Home Run: 15-25
RBI: 70-100
Gold Glove
Steal: 20-50 bases

You get a team with our pitching we are world series champs

They go out and get good players because they can afford to. They're in the #1 market in the country. Money is no option with them.

And for the record, Kotchman makes a hair over $3 million, and Rob Johnson makes about $400,000 (and then Bradley was a contract swap to get rid of dead weight...I mean Silva). Those three weren't hampering our ability to sign free agents and make moves.

[JosephC]

You want to know what Guti was before we got him in the Putz trade? A prospect.

You want to know what King Felix was before we brought him up for good in 2006? A prospect.

You know what Michael Pineda is? A prospect.

You getting the picture?

Actually, Seatown has a good point. He is saying he wants Major League ready players like a current Guti.
His lines while in Cleveland were not good:
Try .248 and 8 home runs in 2008. What this team needs are some major league ready players as far as I'm concerned. There are Major League ready prospects and that is what I would be eyeballing.

We don't want a 2008 Guti on our team.

[TellItToTheDA]

Actually, Seatown has a good point. He is saying he wants Major League ready players like a current Guti.
His lines while in Cleveland were not good:
Try .248 and 8 home runs in 2008. What this team needs are some major league ready players as far as I'm concerned. There are Major League ready prospects and that is what I would be eyeballing.

We don't want a 2008 Guti on our team.

But I don't think we're going to get a major league ready player from a Cliff Lee deal. Wilson Ramos? Not Quite. Jenrry Mejia? Not as a Starter. Shelby Miller? No. None of these guys are major league ready, but I'd deal for any of them in a heartbeat.

[clarknova]

Don't count out the Yankees:

http://prospectinsider.com/view/fresh-news-on-cliff-lee-front

I know some people don't always want to hear all the maybes. I do, so I thought it's possible that others do too. I'm just posting links to articles regarding the impending trade that I found interesting. Just passing it along.

[SeaTownJosh]

Man if we play like this into the allstar game we might keep lee. If we are above .500 like .510-.530 before the trade deadline they will go all out for it.

[JosephC]

We wont though. Look at who is pitching tomorrow. We'll get eaten alive.

[clarknova]

According to Jim Duquette on Sirius XM Cliff Lee told people around the club that Tuesday may have been his last start as a Mariner.

Still Clear as mud. According to what I've heard and read today- Cliff Lee could be traded to Texas, Minnesota, The Mets, The Reds, The Phillies, The Yankees, The Mariners will keep him, a secret sleeper team will trade for him, or that he'll be traded from Team Edward to Team Jacob.

His statement that his last start might be his last is interesting, but may be him just speculating.

[phredmojo]

don't reeally pay much attention to other teams prospects. but if you don't get BLOWN away you don't trade him. if Z has to "think" about an offer you don't trade him. it should be a no brainer deal, a deal too good to not take. otherwise you take the picks if you can't or dont want to sign him long term.

[clarknova]

Nothing new today on the Lee front.
Can't believe I'm linking to him twice in the same thread, but honestly (and I've read almost every blog of his for the last 4+ years), this might be the best thing I've seen Geoff Baker write (which, honestly is tantamount to me saying that hitting a ground rule double into a NY douche bag's mouth is the coolest thing Rob Johnson ever did):

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/marinersblog/2012263719_word_of_advice_on_cliff_lee_tr.html

Baker is sort of a "check for anything of substance or interest and move on" kind of a blog to me, I don't put a whole lot of stock in what he writes, but love or hate him, it's nice to have a beat writer that keeps a regular blog like that- Have you seen the Seahawks Blog? Pitiful.

[clarknova]

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog?name=stark_jayson&id=5349927&action=login&appRedirect=http%3a%2f%2finsider.espn.go.com%2fmlb %2fblog%3fname%3dstark_jayson%26id%3d5349927

Some interesting "information" about Jose Lopez and Cliff Lee. I have the same thoughts about Philly - They'd have to give up more than they got for him, and would look pretty foolish, but if they don't mind some egg on their face...

[clarknova]

Back again with more "specumation". Buster Olney of ESPN (can't read the article without and "insider" subscription, which I won't pay for, because it's dumb), is tweeting and saying in an article on Insider that the M's are looking for a "big bat potential" prospect in return for Lee (REALLY?!), and he lists two players that have been discussed previously- but I wanted to get some thoughts on them. He mentions Justin Smoak from Texas (thought previously to be off limits, and that may well be true) and Yonder Alonso from the Reds who is hopelessly blocked by Joey Votto at 1st, and they've tried him out in left field, but he looks to be much more suited to play first. They are both 1st round picks (11 and 7 respectively from the same draft). Both have struggled a bit, but they're still both developing and Smoak has 8 HRs in the majors so far this year since a call up in April, while hitting only .208. What do you guys think about these guys? Which would you prefer, and would you be happy with one, the other, or either as the front line piece in a trade for Cliff Lee?
Here's a link:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/07/cliff-lee-rumors-saturday.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

This is total speculation, I just want to see what people are thinking about what kind of return they would expect back for Lee.
My favorite (for comedic purposes) comment that I've see today regarding this is on the PI page:

http://blog.seattlepi.com/baseball/archives/213435.asp

Yeah, just trade him for Prince Fielder or Adrian Gonzales! You know what? Why stop there? If Jack can't get Albert Pujols for him he should be fired.

[TellItToTheDA]

I think Yonder Alonso would be a good pickup in a Lee deal (Smoak would be great too, but I doubt Texas is willing to part with him), but there would have to be more. His numbers don't blow me away. If we were to deal for him, he'd more than likely be stashed in Tacoma for the remainder of the season to adjust to AAA pitching.

[SeaTownJosh]

We need to get somthing other then pitching, we need another guti uhhg. I know jack z will fuck this up because he will go out and get some future prospect that will take 3-4 years to develop.

[phredmojo]

um, no we don't need another guti. we need some #3/#4 bats. not another #6/#7 bat

[JosephC]

I agree, but I'll take a Guti any day over a Johnson, Kotchman, Langerhans, Sweeney bat.

[phredmojo]

yeah, but not for lee. thats what you trade a vargas or a fister for. when their value is as high as it will ever be

[clarknova]

Via Twitter:

JeffFletcherAOL


MLB source hears #twins have offered OF Aaron Hicks (1st rnd, 08, 900 minor lg OPS) and top C prospect Wilson Ramos for C.Lee #mariners

So we have a supposed "source" derived "offer". I would take that offer. If we can get more, great, but that is not a bad place to start! (my opinion). Thoughts?

[clarknova]

Scratch that:

http://prospectinsider.com/view/lee-to-twins-not-done/?PHPSESSID=f1bd1dd48302594953aa71d95def16b6

Interesting. More than Lee?

[JosephC]

That would have been a done deal if true I believe.

[TellItToTheDA]

A little blurb from Geoff Baker's blog, that I thought really quantified why we NEED to trade Lee before the deadline:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/marinersblog/2012287822_dismal_clubhouse_mood_after_la.html


For those now advocating, more and more, that Seattle hang on to Lee and take the draft picks, are you nuts? That's what losing teams in losing cities do. Take the picks now and, if the Yankees sign Lee, you'll probably get the 30th overall pick for him next June -- 11 months from now. After that, you face at least three more years (at least four in total from today) for that barely first-rounder to maybe mature into something.

You might not like what the Twins, or whatever other team, is offering up right now, but it's better than waiting four or five years on a crapshoot. That's how rebuilding plans go on and on forever. Like they do in towns that never win anything. Like this one. If this city is ever going to win anything in baseball that matters, the guys running this team are going to have to get deals like this done.

The Mariners took the two draft picks for Raul Ibanez two years ago. They got Nick Franklin with one and he's progressing well as a minor league shortstop. Won't be here until at least 2012, though, if then. Steven Baron? He got demoted back to rookie level ball in Everett recently. You never know with draft picks, no matter how high.

So, while the M's might not be able to fleece anybody in the Lee trade -- because he is, after all, a rental -- they still have to get at least two players who may be able to fill some lineup vacancies within a year or two. And yes, that's better than taking two draft picks who might fill those vacancies in four or five years from now (three or four years from the time they are drafted).

Other teams know Jack Zduriencik doesn't want to take the picks, no matter how good he is at drafting. That's why they aren't stampeding to give up the farm just yet. They know that Zduriencik has to deal now, because if he takes the picks, he might be with another team by the time those picks see the light of day. He doesn't have as much leverage as some people think he does because of that fact.

But he's still the one holding Lee. So, he does have some leverage.

Zduriencik has to get moving on this rebuilding job and the way to do it is to get some pieces right now. This isn't Raul Ibanez he's trying to deal, it's arguably the best pitcher in baseball. He has to get some value that will help him out at some point soon. Taking the draft picks would squander Lee's value.