The Yankees are making a strong push to acquire P Cliff Lee from the Seattle Mariners. Lee has been shopped over the past several weeks, and many teams including Minnesota and Tampa Bay are making a run at picking him up. ESPN's Buster Olney reports the deal is "just about done" and centers around Yankees prospects C Jesus Montero and 2B David Adams. He is the sixth highest ranked prospect in the minor leagues.The addition of Lee would give New York the best rotation in the majors (if they weren't already). They would have C.C. Sabathia, Lee, A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettitte, and Phil Hughes as their top five, and if Burnett can heat up, the Yankees might be getting primed for a massive run. If New York lands Lee, Javier Vasquez could be expendible and be on a new team in the coming days. The Phillies are rumored to be interested and could offer Jayson Werth to the Yankees.
New York has seen first hand just how could Lee can in a postseason run. Last season, he was the only Phillies pitcher to win against the Yankees in the World Series. He also had a strong showing against the Yankees last week, prompting me to write that he may be giving New York a job application at the time. If the Yankees can pull off the deal and land Lee, they instantly become my favorite to win it all in October.
