I wonder if a 3 way deal would work involving Upton, Andrus, Young and Lee.

Rangers send Andrus to Arizona. Young, Perez and Leonys Martin to the Phillies

Arizona sends Upton and RP Ziegler to the Phillies.

The Phillies send Lee and RP Horst and Valdes to the Rangers.

The Phillies would be getting viable 3B, a legit bat and OF. The Rangers' top 2 prospect and a CF with high potential and some pop. All this and their payroll would go up only around $3M. While sending a $29M/yr pitcher ($87.5M/3yr including his $12.5M buyout)

The Diamondbacks get a top 5 SS and could possibly flip him in 2013 or '14. They would be saving around $5M in their '13 payroll.

The Rangers will get their Ace, along with two leftys for their bullpen. They would be adding around $5M to their payroll.

Thoughts... Who says no and why

The Rangers were in on Cliff Lee 2 years ago because they saw an opportunity in a short window with Hamilton, Cruz, Elvis etc all trending upwards. Their original reservations were about going that 6th and 7th year Cliffy wanted.

If we make that deal now, we'd be taking the back end of a risky deal in a year which we've lost two major offensive components. I don't think it fits the Ranger's model despite all the rumors we here about their interest in Lee.

I think Texas definitely walks away from that.

They'd be getting Lee and essentially nothing more they really need. They can get RPs elsewhere. In return, they have to pay the least valuable, most expensive part of his huge contract ...plus Andrus (their top ML-productive trade piece) ...plus top SP prospect and top CF prospect. It's a massive overpayment.

For the money to pay Lee, better to pay Greinke instead (who is 5 years younger). Then you still have Andrus, Perez, and Martin to keep or for other deals.

Yeah, i'd rather pay $25 mil over 5/6 years to the 29-year old Greinke than $25 mil over the next 3 years to the 34-year old Lee (which is what Lee'll actually be making). .

It's $87.5M guaranteed for 3 years not $75M. @Kristen

Kristen, Lee isn't 3 years for $75 million. His team has the choice of paying him either 4 years for $102 million, or 3 years for $87.5 million (or a bit more than $29 million per).

In practical terms, the sunk cost is $29.17, $29.17, $29.17, with an option for a 4th year at $14.5.

Of course, the point is still the same regardless. Either for 3 years or 4, he's going to be overpaid by a sizable margin by whoever he plays for. He's a long way from being a $29M pitcher at this point.

Why would you trade Elvis, Perez and L. Martin for Lee and spares? Just bc you can include Young? That's crazy talk. That package is reserved for a Price. I want no part of Lee at that cost. People were talking Young for Lee straight up since the salaries are so crazy. You could probably get Upton and Shields for that troika. I'll pass.

@ David & 007

Thanks. Missed the buyout of $12.5 after the '15 season if they don't pick up his '16 option. So, it's even worse lol.

There is zero percent chance that the Rangers are involved in a trade with AZ that doesn't end with them getting Jups. Especially if they're trading away Elvis.

Mega 2.0 = Rangers+Royals+Rays and it won't involve lil' e

Everyone keeps forgetting Lee's contract is extensively back-end loaded... the Phillies have already gotten the two "reasonable" (even very friendly) years out of that contract... if they can offload it now, they will seriously handicap one of their challengers for the Championship financially.

I don't think we want that contract; therefore, I don't think we really want Lee all that much anymore.

I don't think anyone here forgot that, David. They're all saying the same thing.

007 Are you GAY? Get the hell out of here.