The Mariners’ lefty has been the subject of many trade talks over the past few months, because he plays on a bad team (Seattle is 32-44 entering play Wednesday) and is really good.
Lee threw his third straight complete game on Tuesday night, beating the Yankees 7-4 in the Bronx, but according to FoxSports.com, there weren’t as many scouts in the stands at Yankee Stadium as expected. Representatives from the Mets, Yankees, Rangers and Phillies were on hand to watch Lee pitch. However, the Twins, Dodgers and several other possible candidates to acquire Lee were not in attendance.
If Lee were traded before the July 31 deadline, it would be the southpaw’s fourth different team in the last two years. Lee was traded to Philadelphia last July, helping them reach its second consecutive World Series. The Phillies gave Lee his $9 million option for 2010, then turned around and dealt him to the Mariners after acquiring Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays.
Lee won the AL Cy Young in 2008 with the Indians and will become a free agent after the season, so his final destination in 2010 could have a lot to do with what team can afford to give the 31-year-old a multiyear contract.
