Cliff Lee

TheColonyEagle · October 25, 2010

I'm curious what my fellow Ranger fans think about Cliff Lee's free agent destination.

I keep getting more and more annoyed at the national media and their opinion that it is just a matter of time, he'll no doubt be in New York next season.

I just don't agree with this. Cowherd went as far to say he intentionally dogs it against the bad teams and plays for real against the good teams. (What a joke)

What has Cliff Lee said? He said he wants to stop moving around the country every 6 months and wants a home, he wants to win, and he wants what's best for his family. He's also made comments that the more they win this year, the harder it will be to leave and Arlington is the closest thing he's had to home in his career.

He seems like a stand up guy to me.

Combine that with the fact that the Rangers have more potential, youth (at least 4-5 good years left in our current stars plus a 22 year old at the most important defensive position on the field and a 22 year old all-star closer and they still have a top 1-2 minor league organization) and Greenberg already said they are going to be aggressive in going after Lee. They are in better financial position now and they just signed the 2nd biggest (I believe) TV deal in MLB.

The Yankees, Red Sox and Angels have money but don't have the prospects we have and their core players are all getting older.

So my question is this: If the Rangers offer Cliff Lee fair market price ($18-$20 million per year range I don't know why they wouldn't) why would he not take that? Regardless of how the Yankees try to money whip him?

Thoughts?

glick1980 · October 25, 2010

I think he is going to stay with the Rangers, even moreso if they win the series. I think they will make a good offer for him, and the fact that his hometown is a one hour flight or four hour drive from DFW is a plus. I think the Rangers payroll will increase significatnly after this season, into the 90-110 million range. The money they are making from this WS run can only help their efforts to resign Lee and anyone else they want to.

ColoradoEagle · October 25, 2010

He'll stay here unless another team makes him an offer he can't refuse. I honestly don't see any teams offering far and away more than what Texas does. The national media is painting it like the reason the Rangers have gotten as far as they have is due to Cliff Lee. While he has contributed as well as anyone else on the team, it's not Cliff Lee & the Texas Rangers. :lol:

The other GMs know that Cliff Lee would be a great get, but they also know that he isn't the reason the Rangers are in the WS.

Censored by Laurie · October 25, 2010

I'd suggest worrying about Cliff Lee's contract in two weeks.

Edited October 25, 2010 by Censored by Laurie

ColoradoEagle · October 26, 2010

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/10/26/if-cliff-lees-wife-is-calling-the-shots-hes-staying-in-texas/

“That’s the greatest thing, being so close to home . . . Cliff can fit in anywhere, but it makes my life a lot easier. We’ve never had a short commute before. Having a direct flight from Little Rock is great . . .”

. . . Perhaps the Rangers’ greatest sales pitch simply was having Kristen sit in the visiting family section at Yankee Stadium during the playoffs. She says there were ugly taunts. Obscenities. Cups of beer thrown. Even fans spitting from the section above.

“The fans did not do good things in my heart,” Kristen says.

“When people are staring at you, and saying horrible things, it’s hard not to take it personal.”