Mariners backing off Yankees offer, Post has learned. Does not look like Yankees are in it.
“To repeat the Yankees aren’t getting Cliff Lee, Mariners concerned about David Adams ankle plus apparently another team has jumped in hard”
This is getting interesting. I wonder who this “other team” is.
Update: 4:20PM ET: More from Sherman:
“Hearing Rangers are working really hard on Lee now. Tricky because of finances with team sale not complete and MLB-imposed budget”
I didn’t see that one coming. The Texas Rangers…really? I don’t see them re-signing him in the off-season.
Update:4:27PM ET: Mark Feinsand:
Source: “The Yankees are knee deep in this thing now, but there is no done deal.”
Same source: “It sounds like the Mariners want to get Lee traded before tonight’s game whether it’s the Yankees or not.”
Source continued: “…Every other team in baseball is supplementing the Rangers right now, so they have no business taking on Lee’s salary.”
Update: 4:58PM ET: Joel Sherman
“i have learned deal done with Rangers, Smoak and 3 others for Lee and reliever Mark Lowe Rangers, Mariners”
Update: 5:04PM ET: and Ken Rosenthal has it confirmed: “Rangers’ deal for Lee confirmed. Mariners sending cash in deal.”
M. B. Rozell
Kevin Rozell
Not necessarily. It looks as if the Mariners are trying to leverage the Rangers offer to drive the price higher. Of course, the Rangers have serious financial constraints and are prevented from taking on payroll while in receivership. Either the M’s would have to eat the rest of Lee’s salary (about $4.65 million, including ASG bonus) or take an equal amount in player salary back.
Texas
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