NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The market for free agent southpaw Cliff Lee appears to be heating up, so much so that the 13-year veteran is out of the price range for two American League West clubs, the Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers, according to reports.
A's Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Billy Beane said to MLB.com that the cost of Lee would likely amount to more than they have. Similarly, Rangers general manager Jon Daniels told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that Lee would be "too pricey if healthy."
MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm believes the Toronto Blue Jays are likely in a similar stance on Lee, but will not say either way.
Lee, 37, received medical clearance on Dec. 3 after missing the entire 2015 season with a torn flexor tendon in his left elbow.
Four days later, it was reported by Jon Heyman of CBS Sports that the four-time All-Star was drawing interest from 15 teams, or exactly half of Major League Baseball.
Lee granted free agency from his second stint with the Phillies on Nov. 3. In 106 starts on the mound, he went 41-30 with a 2.89 ERA, nine complete games, seven shutouts and 739 strikeouts spanning 747 2/3 innings. The Arkansas native finished third in the National League Cy Young Award race in 2011 after leading all of baseball with six recorded shutouts.
While the Phillies are likely out on a second reunion with the left-hander, Lee's league-wide interest surely appears to be high as the winter meetings draws to a close on Thursday.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
