There are exactly two months left before the MLB trade deadline approaching and slowly but surely, names are starting to come out in terms of availability. With pitching injuries running wild in the league, several teams will be buyers this year. Jeff Samardzija and David Price are the two biggest names, but the Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly adding to the list, shopping Cliff Lee.
According to Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan, the Philadelphia Phillies are placing Lee on the trade block in order to dump his large contract. The pitcher is owed $20 million this season with $25 million owed next year and a $12.5 million buyout in 2016. Right now, Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels and Chase Utley have contracts eating up the pay roll. If the Phillies are going to make a move and battle Atlanta in the National League East, they need to dump someone to free up some money.
Lee is overpaid and aging, but when healthy he is still one of the best players in the league. Injuries have taken their toll. He is 4-4 with a 3.18 ERA this season but currently sitting on the disabled list with an elbow strain. He has not been cleared to play just yet, but the Phillies do not expect the injury to linger. Any team with pitching issues and looking to compete will not worry about the money owed to Lee and simply make the trade. Of course that means the New York Yankees are the projected favorites for a deal.
According to Bleacher Report, while the Yankees are looking at Samardzija and Price, their focus could shift to Lee now that he is reportedly available. The Yankees have a lot of depth issues right now. CC Sabathia is out. Michael Pineda could be headed back to the disabled list. Ivan Nova is done for the year. They need a big name if they are going to compete and not lose pace in their conference race.
The Yankees are not the only team in need of a pitcher. The Colorado Rockies are looking around at options. The Los Angeles Dodgers would love to acquire one more big arm. The Baltimore Orioles are another option for a deal. If Lee is truly available, teams will look into a potential deal no matter how overpaid he is.