Tim Brown reported on his twitter

"Source: Lee has told former Rangers teammates a sixth year would bring him back to Texas."
http://mobile.twitter.com/TBrownYahoo/status/11608512668897280

I say hand him the contract and let him sign. I pray this is true.

6yr, 120 million... Take it or leave it

Hmmmm.....I really hope the Rangers haven't already told Lee they wouldn't give him a 6th year, and this is Cliff's way of saving face to Texas fans/players for not resigning. Like, "I would have rather stayed with ya'll, but..." Everything is still rumor, but I hope this isn't the case.

6/132

Honestly, we get so hung up on the "big" numbers, but really 6/$120m and 6/$144m is a difference of a pitiful $4m/yr. That's less than the cost of taking a flyer on Rich Harden. If you're willing to do 6/$120, just go to 6/$144 and get it DONE already.

I haven't had an economics course in 20 years. But as I remember the concept of comparitive worth. And it is relevent here in the discussion of how much money Cliff really wants.

If he wants $20 million each year for 6 years and one team offers him $22 and the other offers him 6 years for $21 million per year, there isn't really much difference in them as they both barely beat the threshold he will accept.

So if Texas does get close to matching the NYY offer, and neither side will go much above the other, will Lee sign where he WANTS to be? Or will he value a relatively small (1 million or so more per year) difference in salary so highly that he signs in a place he'd rather be.

I assume that he would rather be near Arkansas in a less media-hostile environment. But I don't know if he values this area enough to offset a million or two dollars per year. If it was a case of a $4 million per year for 6 yrs contract for NYY vs a $2 million per year contract for the same time period in Texas, I could see that difference as a big deal. But when you're talking about the difference between $22 million and $20 million per year I don't think that 2 million has much comparitive worth. It wouldn't for me anyway. Especially since the two teams are converging in talent and playoff potential. I would argue that NYY has aged so much so quickly that Texas has a reasonable chance of beating the Yanks in the next couple of offseasons AND the Texas front office has demonstrated a committment to win long-term.

Cliff, if you are readying this, I hope you think long and hard about where you want to be. Texas has a better economy, less crime, lower taxes and we are closer to your home state than NY (both in distance in and in politics). Do you want to be here? If so, take the Rangers' offer. I am sure it is close enough to the NY offer (after taxes and cost of living adjustments) that you won't be losing much money.

If NYY blows you away with $5million more per year, I understand you needing to take that offer. But don't put yourself or your family through hell for a few dollars difference per year.

Texas has a better economy, less crime, lower taxes and we are closer to your home state than NY (both in distance in and in politics).

Violent crime rates (per 100,000 residents) in 2009
DFW metro: 410.8
NYC metro: 381.9

And that's the entire metro areas. Lee wouldn't be living in the Bronx. He'd be living in Manhattan, one of the safest large "cities" in the world.

According to Uniform Crime Reports (compiled by the FBI) New York City is far safer than Dallas, and almost every single big city for that matter. Dallas's murder rate per 100,000 residents (12.9) is over twice that of New York City (5.6). The rape rate in Dallas (37.6) is almost four time greater than New York (9.9). Dallas's robbery rate is about twice that of New York, and the burglary rate is between six and seven times greater in Dallas than New York.

In total, Dallas is far, far more dangerous than New York. With that said, that shouldn't matter in making a free agent decision. If Lee will accept a deal for 6 years with Texas, then the Rangers need to do it. I'd go as high as 6 years $144 million.

I bet Cliff will live in Westlake, Southlake or Colleyville, not Dallas - just a guess.

Uh, New York has nice suburbs, too. You can even hunt deer there in the offseason. I'm a native NYer who loves the Metroplex. But the notion that, in general, DFW beats NYC in quality of life for hundred-millionaires is nonsense.

But the notion that, in general, DFW beats NYC in quality of life for hundred-millionaires is nonsense.

Word.

To your mother

So Rosenthals says that we have to get a 7 year deal to get Cliff. I am not going 7 years

Rosenthal also says Yankees will NOT be giving Lee 7 years. In other words, Washington will offer him 7 years, and he's going to turn it down. Texas will offer him a similar 6-year deal to the hatted NYYs, and he stays in Arlington.

I think.

Rosenthal also says Yankees will NOT be giving Lee 7 years. In other words, Washington will offer him 7 years, and he's going to turn it down. Texas will offer him a similar 6-year deal to the hated NYYs, and he stays in Arlington.

I think.

I don't know who this team is that is going to offer 7 but I would be surprised if this is true. Either way I think he would stay in Texas for 6 years.

Maybe six with a club option for the seventh, but no way on guaranteed seven. I would have an easier time going with five and two option years.