With all the talk about trading Phillies players Cole Hamels, Jonathan Papelbon, and Ryan Howard, it is easy to forget about another potential trade piece: left-handed pitcher Cliff Lee. Because Lee spent much of 2014 on the disabled list, one might easily write off the possibility that Lee could be dealt without pitching for the Phillies in 2015. But that may not be necessary.
Jayson Stark of ESPN writes Lee could be on the move:
One exec who spoke with #Phillies says he was told they could move Cliff Lee as soon as spring training if he proves he's healthy
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) February 6, 2015
Might a healthy Cliff Lee might be easier to move than some other Phillies?
Lee is in the last year of the five year, $120 million deal that he signed with the Phillies back in 2011. Lee is due $25 million in 2015, with the choice of a $27.5 million contract in 2016 or $12.5 million buyout. The tricky part will be the $27.5 option. It will become guaranteed if Lee either pitches 200 innings in 2015, or finishes the year without being on the disabled list.
Then there is the issue of Lee's no-trade clause. Lee has the standard Phillies no-trade clause; he can select nine teams to which he will accept a trade. According to Cot's Baseball Contracts, those clubs are the Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Houston Astros, Miami Marlins, Minnesota Twins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, and Washington Nationals. As I have written before, Lee has essentially been willing to go back to the Indians and that is about it. The other teams are not likely destinations.
If Lee's option was not going to guarantee so easily, the Phillies could probably move Lee easily enough. There is still a chance, if the Phillies are willing to take some of Cleveland's bloated contracts like Nick Swisher and eat money, but the return might not be small.
For the Phillies to move Lee, they probably have to wait out 2015 and see if Lee's option will not vest. A healthy Lee would vest the option by simply not being hurt at the end of the year. With one year remaining and a healthy Lee, other teams may take a chance. However, even demonstrating he is healthy for two or three weeks will not likely be enough to move Lee this Spring.
