Trade Target: Cliff Lee

I have a real problem with the way the Phillies are running their team. They have continued to build around an old core that is constantly digressing in talent. They aren't contending any longer but they are too stubborn to admit that it is time to rebuild. So last year, this year, and probably next year, the Phillies will continue to be that stubborn and buy players by selling prospects. This will be their downfall because instead of selling the veterans they have for rebuilding purposes, they'll hang on to them until they retire and lose valuable prospects in dumb trades. The old guys keep them afloat but once they retire, you're going to see a collapse comparable to the Astros and our beloved Pirates. But enough about why I'm a better GM than Ruben Amaro Jr., if the Phillies choose to sell, Cliff Lee has to be the first to go. Could he come to Pittsburgh?

Lee would be quite the catch for someone. He's still one of the most devastating lefties in the game. That holds true this year. He has a 10-3 record, 2.86 ERA, 8.1 K/9, 1.4 BB/9, and crazy 5.95 K/BB. He's been fantastic on another floundering Phillies team and is in line with his career numbers. He averages a 15-9 record, 3.54 ERA, 7.5 K/9, 2.0 BB/9, and 3.75 K/BB. Like I said, he's fantastic. No doubt. The one thing I look at with possible rotation upgrades, is playoff/pennant race experience. Lee has plenty of it and with it, plenty of success. In his playoff career, he is 7-3 with a 2.52 ERA. That's a huge boost for a team with little playoff experience. I mean Lee is bringing it all to the table. But like always, there is a catch.

First issue is his contract. He's owed a healthy amount of money, over $15 million, through 2015. That's almost one fifth of the Pirates' payroll. They couldn't pay that without some big time help and if you ask for them to pay half of his salary, you're giving up more in prospect value. That brings me to my next problem. The prospect cost. The Phillies are reluctant to trade him as it is and if they're going to eat salary, it'll have to be a big time load. It wouldn't be Giancarlo Stanton big but I'd say Jameson Taillon, another top 6 prospect, and another top 20 prospect to start. At least. I don't know if I'm willing to give that up.

In reality, I'm probably arguing a moot point. The Phillies are reluctant sellers because god knows why they think they can still win another World Series with this core. Even if they were selling, it would be a bidding war for Lee. That's something the Pirates are not into and they won't pay that hefty of a price for one man as a small market team. Sure, Lee would help this team immensely now and through 2015, but he'd also immensely help other teams and the impact that will come from the guys they trade would be bigger than Lee's. So I can't see NH bringing in Cliff Lee even though he'd be a perfect fit. The stars would have to align for this to happen and that doesn't happen every 100 years. Don't hold your breath for this pipe dream.

Tomorrow's trade target will be 1B Kendrys Morales

UPDATE: Today Jayson Stark reported that Kendrys Morales is a possibility for Pittsburgh. Ironically, he's my next target. Add him to the list that includes Nate Schierholtz and Alex Rios as confirmed targets.