Mariners Trying to Trade Lee Immediately?

[The Lone Granger]

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that "two executives from clubs that have called the Mariners about Cliff Lee say the team is indeed willing to trade the pitcher immediately for the right offer."

http://www.rotoworld.com/images/headshots/MLB/3565.jpg

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said Friday that he's "not willing to throw in the towel just yet," but presumably he's more realistic behind the scenes. One executive said he expects Lee to be traded within the next 7-10 days, with Rosenthal calling the Twins "front-runners" while the Mets, Dodgers and Rangers are among the teams that "have inquired on Lee."

rotoworld

I'm guessing we see a trade sometime in the next couple weeks. There are a lot of team interested in him, and my two personal favorites to trade for him are the Minnesota Twins and the New York Mets. Other teams I see being very interested in him are the Phillies, Tigers, and White Sox.

Thoughts?

[Igoe4Mariners]

It's not a bad idea. There is no chance of us getting back into the race so pulling the trigger early wouldn't be the worst idea. But I'd also like to see us try to milk this thing out and get the best possible deal in return.

We've already shafted the Mets once tradewise and I wouldn't be opposed to it again.

[TellItToTheDA]

As much as I'd love to shaft the Mets again, it doesn't sound like they're willing to part with any of their top prospects. I still contend that the best offer we can get is from Minnesota, because Wilson Ramos' is blocked at Catcher, and they'd also more than likely throw in a back-end starter like Scott Baker or Kevin Slowey.

http://nybaseballdigest.com/?p=26670


NL Exec: Teams Shouldn’t Give Top Talent for Lee

By Mike Silva ~ June 26th, 2010. Filed under: Mike Silva, Rumor Mill.

Earlier today contributor Joe Demayo was told by an NL source that Jenrry Meija is a “must” in any deal for Cliff Lee. NYBD also reached out to a National League executive who said there should be “no reason” for the Mets, or any other team, to give up top talent for Cliff Lee because of the tight position Seattle is in.

This shouldn’t be a surprise as it’s been well documented the Mets are not willing to part with Ike Davis, Jonathon Niese, Angel Pagan, or Mejia for Lee. Personally, if I were Omar Minaya, I would trade Mejia for Lee even if he was just a rental. Minnesota obviously is willing to give up their top catching prospect, Wilson Ramos, but probably more due to the presence of Joe Mauer than anything. Make Seattle decided between the top catching and pitching prospect. Remember, this could happen very soon as Ken Rosenthal also reiterated a belief that we have stated here that Lee will be traded much sooner than the deadline.

What does this all mean? Seattle is trying to create a market for Lee that probably doesn’t exist. The Yankees are interested, but not for Austin Romine or Montero, Texas is in bankruptcy, and the Dodgers have the whole divorce proceedings. Right now the Twins are the favorites and probably because Ramos is the best player Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik could acquire. Remember, Lee is going to be a rental for any team that acquires him and that inherently reduces the value of the package.