With the prospect of Toronto ace, Roy Halladay being traded fading, the Philadelphia Phillies have set their sights on 2008 American League CY Young winner, Cliff Lee of the Indians.
If Toronto’s asking price is too high, the Phillies will want Cliff Lee. The Tribe holds a club option on Lee for 2010 for $9 million. Lee’s start this past Tuesday was phenomenal. It was his second straight complete game and his season record is a deceiving 6-9 with a 3.17 ERA.
Dealing Lee would mean trading Cy Young Award winners in back-to-back seasons. That is where it gets confusing. How can a team that needs pitching so bad, trade away two stars? Well, CC was going to cost too much, and Lee will extract similar money at the end of next season.
But giving up Lee would be raising the white flag for the next several seasons. Admitting that the Indians won’t be in contention next season will definitely send Tribe loyalists on the war path. So, I hope if the trade does happen, that the Phillies get Lee. Why? 