Baseball

Are The Yankees Eyeing Cliff Lee and Lance Berkman?

We are approaching the trade season in baseball and some rumors are starting to swirl. Cliff Lee and Lance Berkman are are apparently on the Yankees radar.

by
Staff Post
June 9, 2010

Don’t expect the New York Yankees to publicly admit to wanting both or either of these players. According to MLBTradeRumors.com, George A. King III of the New York Post says the Yankees are likely to be interested in both Mariners starting pitcher Cliff Lee, and Astros first baseman Lance Berkman.

The Yankees have five quality starters on the team at this point so many may think pursuing Lee would be pointless. In all reality, adding Lee would be more of a move for next season. Andy Pettitte and Javier Vazquez are free agents after this season so the Yankees will need another starter if they do not re-sign either or both.

The Seattle Mariners are apparently expecting the Yankees to incquire about Lee. They have been sending scouts to check out the Yankees farm teams, a sign they are taking a look at potential trade bait.

It is being reported the Mariners will likely seek Triple-A shortstop Eduardo Nunez and one of the Yankees catching prospects.

Would you give up Nunez and Austin Romine or Jesus Montero for Cliff Lee? Lee is one of the leagues top pitchers but you better be darn sure you can sign him to a long term contract if you are going to give up prospects of that caliber.

I am not sure the Yankees need to spend the big money Lee will get when they have CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Phil Hughes signed for the forseeable future.

I would like to see the Yankees add another bat before this years trade deadline. One rumor says the Yankees have scouts following the Houston Astros in case they begin a fire sale.

New York would likely be interested in first baseman Lance Berkman. The veteran could be used as a primary DH and backup first baseman. Nick Johnson who was expected to take that role this year is potentially out for the season.

Berkman however is still owed about $11 million and has a full no trade clause. I would like to see us acquire Berkman if we did not have to give up to much. The question is, what is to much for the aging veteran?

Would you rather the Yankees trade for Cliff Lee or Lance Berkman?