The Phillies are discussing southpaw ace Cliff Lee with other teams, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, though there are many obstacles to a deal. The latest:
- An NL executive that has recently spoken with Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told Andy Martino of the New York Daily News that he thinks Lee will be dealt (Twitter link). That executive chose Boston as the likely destination. Martino is careful to note that it's "informed speculation" on the executive's behalf, as opposed to something that Amaro came out and said directly.
Earlier Updates
- The Red Sox and Phillies have engaged in talks for Lee and Michael Young, tweets Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, but the Sox won't deal their top prospects.
- The price for Lee is extremely high, hears Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. "He's telling people it'll take you three or four best prospects, plus you'd have to take all the money," one executive said of Amaro. Another quipped, "You'd have to give up your first born, second and third born, too."
- ESPN's Jayson Stark agrees that the Phillies aren't eating any of the $70MM+ remaining on Lee's contract. Stark also hears the Phillies would need to be overwhelmed.
- The Dodgers, who claimed Lee in August last year, have not discussed a trade about him with the Phillies recently, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
Zach Links and Steve Adams contributed to this post.
