On New Year's day, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald wrote that the Miami Marlins were 'discussing' signing several veteran pitchers. One of the names that Jackson suggested the Marlins were interested in was Edwin Jackson, who the team would go on to sign a week later. However, the biggest name on Jackson's original report was Cliff Lee, who he now says that Marlins haven't ruled out signing.
Even after adding Wei Yin Chen, the Marlins still have at least some interest in pitchers Tim Lincecum (they will attend his upcoming workout), Doug Fister, Cliff Lee and Alfredo Simon if any of those four is willing to take a low-money deal. If not, they’re content with Edwin Jackson, Adam Conleyand others competing for the No. 5 job.
Chen became the biggest pitching signing for the Marlins this off-season, when he agreed to a five-year/$80 million deal with the team that became official Tuesday. Chen figures to slide into the number two spot in the Marlin's rotation, behind former rookie of the year Jose Fernandez. His signing shouldn't necessarily have any impact on their interest in Lee.
Jackson's signing, however, made Lee going to Miami — already a fairly unlikely scenario — all but a lock not to happen, because the Marlins got the veteran back end of the rotation arm they were looking for at price of just over $500,000.
As Jackson says, if Lee is willing to take a 'low-money deal', the Marlins would still have interest, but so would the rest of the league. And as Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported last weekend, the expectation around the league isn't that Lee will settle for a 'low-money deal'.
Another NL official thought Lee was asking for a high base salary.
It's also fair to wonder how much interest Lee would have in signing with the Marlins. The team gained a great deal of credibility with players by bringing in Don Mattingly and Barry Bonds as coaches this off-season, but they are clearly the third best team in a division that has two teams that will be competing for the number one pick. The Marlins do have a great deal of young talent and could surprise in 2016, but they don't seem to fall under the idea of the "perfect fit" that his agent suggested Lee will need to play this season.
Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) is the Managing Editor of Philliedelphia.com, focusing on news and features.
