According to Buster Olney, Cliff Lee is officially “in play” as the deadline draws near.
Olney, like a lot of people, feel that the Rangers would be the most logical team interested in acquiring Lee. And accoring to Olney’s source, Lee will not come cheap to the Phillies.
That means prospects, and the Rangers have a prospect the Phillies desperately want in right-handed third baseman Mike Olt. Olt, 23, is hitting .291 with 27 homers and 80 RBIs with Double-A Frisco in the Texas League.
It’s quite possible the two teams already have a blue print laid out for a trade since the Rangers were linked in wanting Cole Hamels before he signed an extension to stay in Philadelphia. Olt wouldn’t be the only prospect in the deal, but he would be the centerpiece.
And with the Angels acquiring Zach Grienke the other day, Texas would need to keep up in the “arms race.”
Lee has the highest AAV for players going into the next three season so the Rangers could ask the Phillies also throw in some money for Lee.
Olney ruled out the Yankees as possible suitors since they don’t have the budget space to get involved. (Go figure!)
TTB 