Last night, Mariners pitcher Cliff Lee may have done everything in his power to show the Yankees, and every other team in the league hoping to acquire Lee, that he has plenty to offer. Lee is one of the most desired players rumored to be available this season at the trade deadline along with Houston's Roy Oswalt.
Pitching in his third straight complete game, the first time a Mariner's pitcher has done this since Randy Johnson in 1999, Lee gave up two home runs to Nick Swisher but continued his hot streak against the Yankees giving up three earned runs in the 7-4 victory. He beat the Yankee's twice last season with the Phillies during the World Series, the only pitcher to win for Philadelphia in the series. He also won for Cleveland in their opener last season at the New Yankee's Stadium.
Lee (7-3) is perhaps the most likely player to be targeted by the New York Yankees before the trade deadline. I wouldn't be surprised at all if Cliff Lee is in a Yankee uniform by the end of July. In fact, I expect it to happen, especially after the performance he gave tonight on their home field. If I have ever seen a job application on the sport's field, that had to have been it. Lee has consistantly shown he is one of the top pitchers currently in the majors over the past two seasons.
If the Yankees can pick up Lee, their rotation would be far better than any other team's in the league. With CC Sabathia, Lee, Phil Hughes, Andy Pettitte, and AJ Burnett, New York would potentially have the best rotation in the history of baseball. The Yankees won last year's World Series using a three pitcher rotation, imagine the postseason damage they could do with this line up? Any Boston fans reading now should begin praying the Yankees don't make this deal a reality because it will guarantee them the division for atleast the next two seasons. If the Yanks land Lee, I can predict with total confidence they will win their 28th title in club history. Without Cliff Lee, the Yankees still have the division locked away this season assuming they stay healthy, but may have a little trouble in the postseason at some point with Burnett's streaky pitching.
