The Philadelphia Phillies don't look capable of competing in 2013. The St. Louis Cardinals have a couple of health questions in their pitching rotation, therefore thoughts of acquiring Cliff Lee have roamed around as the trade deadline is a little over a month away. As Bernie Bytes of St. Louis Today analyzes the possible move, he looks at the pros and cons of getting the crafty left-handed veteran.
There is no doubt, wherever Lee goes, he can help a ballclub win. His stats this year are more reflective of his ability compared to last year when Lee posted a 3.16 ERA and a mere 6-9 record. So far in 2013, he's 9-2 with a 2.53 ERA on a Phillies team that is in second place in the N.L. East, but seven games behind the Atlanta Braves with a 35-37 record.
The Cardinals have the best record in the majors at 45-26. Their pitching is filthy as a healthy Adam Wainwright is 10-4 with a 2.37 ERA, Lance Lynn is 9-1 though his ERA is 3.56 and Shelby Miller is impressing with his 8-4 record and 2.08 ERA. With no Jaime Garcia and questions surrounding Jake Westbrook, the Cardinals could use starting pitching and why not chase Lee?
Well, this is where Bytes breaks down the Lee situation. First of all, from 2014-2016, Lee could earn over $75 million. That contract is too fat and unless Philadelphia is willing to help, the Cardinals will find this too costly.
Another reason why Lee's situation is complicated is because the Cardinals have plenty of pitching in their farming system that can wind up in the majors any time soon. Byte lists the Cardinals' rotation candidates, "With Lee in the mix, that would still leave the Cardinals with Wainwright, Lee, Lynn, Miller, (Michael) Wacha, (Carlos) Martinez, (Joe) Kelly. Let's not leave Seth Maness off the list; the Cardinals like him a lot. And there's also Jamie Garcia."
Why take a chance adding money to your payroll, when there's enough pitching in your farm system to last you a couple of more years. The Cardinals can invest their money in acquiring a future right-fielder as Carlos Beltran enters the final chapter of his career.