Cliff Lee faced live batters on Wednesday at the Philadelphia Phillies' spring training complex for the first time since being shut down for the season last July because of a flexor pronator strain in his left elbow. How does this affect his trade value?
According to Meghan Montemurro of The News Journal, Lee threw live batting practice to a group of hitters that included catcher Carlos Ruiz, outfielder Ben Revere and infielder Freddy Galvis. The left-hander told coach Pete Mackanin that he felt good after he was finished, which could bode well for the Phillies' front office.
Lee was a prime trade candidate before last year's deadline, but his elbow injury ultimately derailed any hope of him being dealt. He made only 13 starts and didn't begin his offseason throwing program until December. However, he's been progressing quicker than anticipated (besides a small setback due to bronchitis) and if he continues to prove he's healthy the Phillies might be able to trade him during spring training.
Philadelphia has had trouble trying to trade ace Cole Hamels because they want three top prospects in return for the left-hander and have not been willing to cover a decent portion of the remaining money on his contract (four years and $100 million or five years $120 million depending on whether his vesting option kicks in for the 2019 season). Lee is a much lesser financial commitment and is owed $25 million this upcoming season with a $27.5 million vesting option (if he pitches 200 innings and doesn't hit the DL with an elbow/shoulder injury) or a $12.5 million buyout for 2016. He would also require less in return in a trade.
The Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals have perhaps been the top two candidates for Hamels, and they could soon shift their attention to Lee if he comes back to full strength. Boston is lacking an ace in their starting rotation and St. Louis could be dealing with lingering injury issues to Adam Wainwright and Michael Wacha.
"Lee might make an interesting alternative to Hamels with trade discussion still believed stalled over Boston's apparent unwillingness to part with either of the Phillies' two big requests, catching prospect Blake Swihart or second baseman/outfielder Mookie Betts," writes Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
We provided a short analysis of the Cardinals potentially shifting their attention to Lee on Tuesday.
Look for these two teams to possibly make a deal for Lee if he gets back to where he once was as a top starter.
