Report: Rays in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes The Tampa Bay Rays are in the hunt to acquire the crown jewel of this year's trade deadline gallery, according to MLB Network's Peter Gammons. Gammons posted on his Twitter account that the Rays are dangling outfielder B.J. Upton to the Seattle Mariners, in hopes of getting left-handed ace Cliff Lee in return. Gammons also speculated that it could be a three-team deal, but no other details were offered. Upton told reporters before Tuesday's game against Boston that he's heard the rumors, but he's not going to let it affect his play. The New York Post also reported today that 15 teams have made contact with the Mariners regarding Lee, and that the Twins are the front-runners because they can offer top catching prospect Wilson Ramos to the Mariners in return for Lee's expiring contract. Report: Rays in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes - Bright House Sports Network
damn... Rays would be a nice place for him. Then again I hope he does as well in Tampa Bay as Pat Burrell did.
Rays need something to get them going with their recent fading. BJ's hitting .228 this year and struggled quite a bit last year as well so offloading him wouldn't hurt too bad, although no doubt prospects would be required to seal the deal as well. Don't think the Rays have the resources to retain him though so it could end up being quite a price for a half season rental.
Honestly I would rather just trad BJ for prospects and save the money that would go to Lee in hopes of throwing enough at Crawford next year to encourage him to stay.
Forget it. Cliff Lee is headed to the Texas Rangers along with RP Mark Lowe and $2.5 mil in cash for Justin Smoak and 3 prospects. The Rangers are having a 5 PM press conference to formally announce the deal.
