Report: D-backs targeting Lee
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Report: D-backs targeting Lee
Phillies trade rumors continued overnight. In the latest, Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports that the Arizona Diamondbacks could be targeting the Phillies' Cliff Lee in their quest to acquire a top-flight starting pitcher.
Rosenthal notes that the Diamondbacks have the assets, most notably star rightfielder Justin Upton, that it would likely take to convince the Phillies to part with Lee.
The Phillies need outfield help, especially with other trade rumors swirling around Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino.
Upton, 24, is batting .270 with eight home runs and 43 RBI. He was Arizona's first-round pick in 2005.
Other reports indicated that the Phillies and Orioles were talking about trading Joe Blanton yesterday. The hangup, according to reports, is that the Phillies want Baltimore infield prospect Jon Schoop. Schoop is the Orioles' third-ranked prospect, according to Baseball America.
Schoop is currently playing Double A ball in the Baltimore system.
The trading deadline is today at 4 p.m.
A Lee to Arizona move would result in the Phils landing two Uptons. Justin in the trade and BJ in FA. Brown in LF and that is a nice, young OF in which to build upon. I know its most likely a pipe dream, but this should be a very fun 7 and a half hours.— ESFjellin- Might as well keep Pence. BJ Upton isn't going to give you any more production than Pence, probably less. — nellar
- EST--If its a pipe dream it's a lead pipe dream and brain damage and death follow lead piping. Both Uptons don't make one actually good player!
The trade rumors and the absolute abundance of Blarney Stone is one of the least desirable aspects of the Spring. Quite agree with cellar, in that pursuing an Upton means getting rid of Hunter Pence did no good at all.— BEMiller - I just hope that the team stay put and keep their assets for next year.Many players are just having a bad year which should be expected because they are human after all.— Andrew Grier
- What about their assets that are not under club control for 2013? Blanton, Victorino & Pierre are all pending free agents and have to be traded for something. Polanco has a club option that the Phils are not going to pick up and if they can send him to a contender for something (anything) then they will have pulled off a small victory. All 4 players have to go today.— mets_collapse_is_funny_to_me
- Do this deal if its available. Upton is having a down season this year but is a young budding star. His salaray is manageable for 3 years and would be comparable to what a good FA outfielder gets paid anyhow.— philsfan in the atx
- So is this the indictment of Ruben Amaro Jr.? Everyone wants one of our guys, but we have to eat salary and we can't have a top 3 prospect, an answer at 3rd base, or even a fourth bullpen arm. In other words, everyone sees what a train wreck the Phillies have become and they will pick from the rubble only if it costs them nothing.— TongueWagger
- This is good. Either we get a young OF in Upton or put pressure in the Rangers to give us the farm for Lee.— EL Zorro
- stay put, only inpending free agents go— wildgreenman
- can we have pat gillick gm for jusy 1 day? i will feel a loy better
— wildgreenman - ok ok i should check my spelling before i send off— wildgreenman
- Another BS rumor put out by Ken Rosenthal. Mark it down: THEY WILL NOT BE TRADING LEE!!— Russ
- Continuing reports that "the Phillies want too much" for their players... We'll see how it plays out around 3:00 - 3:30 PM today. Hang in there Rueben and get what you want for these guys.— topwonk
- Russ, Heyman from CBSSports.com also has the report. When you have two of the tops writers in the country mentioning it, if has to have some true to it. Nevertheless, it doesn't mean is going to happen. They report what they hear as talks in negotiations via twitter or flash news.— EL Zorro
- Upton? Not enough of a payback for Lee. Makes no sense other than money -- which begs the question of what was Rueben thinking when he signed Lee in the first place. He knew Hamels would cost good money to resign. I dont get this at all.— Chicago_Phils_Fan
