Despite earlier reports and comments from the Phillies that Cliff Lee would not be traded, new reports are surfacing that the Phillies are indeed shopping Cliff Lee.
Source:Cliff Lee is in play in trade talks today. Rangers obviously the most logical landing spot, with 3B Mike Olt as possible centerpiece.
But for it to happen, the Phillies would need a huge package of prospects from the Rangers. Will they be desperate enough?
Source about Lee trade talks: "It's not going to be cheap." Meaning that the Phillies want a significant package of prospects.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post also picks it up:
Spoke to exec who said Lee traded by 4pm tomorrow or in offseason because #Phillies need youth back plus dollars saved.#Rangers frontrunner
Sherman thinks the Phillies will accumulate prospects and then spend the money in free agency this winner.
Cliff Lee's contract does not block the Phillies from trading Lee back to the Rangers, for whom he pitched the second half of 2010 when the Rangers went to the World Series. If moved, this would be the astonishing FIFTH time Lee has been traded.
This would be disappointing but this could be best for the Phillies.
