Better Trade Target: Halladay or Lee?
While most of the trade talk in Milwaukee has centered around Roy Halladay (the Brewers are still in that hunt, apparently), Tom Haudricourt had an interesting report yesterday noting that the Brewers have also been scouting Cleveland lefty Cliff Lee.
For a lot of reasons, Lee may make more sense for the Brewers than Halladay...but will the cost be any less?
Last year's trade involving CC Sabathia worked out well for all parties, which should help improve Doug Melvin's relationship with Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro. Sabathia performed even better than expected for the Brew Crew, while Matt LaPorta is sporting a .927 OPS for the Tribe's AAA affiliate this year. Melvin has noted in the past that he prefers to make trades that help both clubs, as ripping people off is never good for fostering good will when it comes to future trades.
We also know that there are other players in the Brewers' system that the Indians liked in a potential Sabathia deal last year before the two clubs settled on a package. Taylor Green, an infielder that was believed to be on last year's list of possible Players to be Named Later, could be a possibility. If the Brewers want to keep Green, perhaps they'd be willing to move Brett Lawrie in a deal for Lee.
Both Lee and Halladay are under contract for the 2010 season, making them more valuable than Sabathia was last year, but Lee may make more financial sense for a team with a mid-level payroll like the Brewers. Halladay is due $15.75 million next season, has a full no-trade clause, and reportedly has the right to void the last season of his deal if he's traded. With Lee, however, the Brewers would only have to pay the remainder of this year's $5.75 million salary and they would also own an $9 million club option for 2010 that would likely be picked up in a heartbeat.
Toronto is reportedly asking the moon for Halladay, and rightfully so. Cleveland would likely demand something similar for Lee, and personally, given the choice between the two, I'd prefer to get the cheaper (and left-handed) ace if the Brewers are going to give up a substantial package.
For a lot of reasons, Lee may make more sense for the Brewers than Halladay...but will the cost be any less?
Last year's trade involving CC Sabathia worked out well for all parties, which should help improve Doug Melvin's relationship with Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro. Sabathia performed even better than expected for the Brew Crew, while Matt LaPorta is sporting a .927 OPS for the Tribe's AAA affiliate this year. Melvin has noted in the past that he prefers to make trades that help both clubs, as ripping people off is never good for fostering good will when it comes to future trades.
We also know that there are other players in the Brewers' system that the Indians liked in a potential Sabathia deal last year before the two clubs settled on a package. Taylor Green, an infielder that was believed to be on last year's list of possible Players to be Named Later, could be a possibility. If the Brewers want to keep Green, perhaps they'd be willing to move Brett Lawrie in a deal for Lee.
Both Lee and Halladay are under contract for the 2010 season, making them more valuable than Sabathia was last year, but Lee may make more financial sense for a team with a mid-level payroll like the Brewers. Halladay is due $15.75 million next season, has a full no-trade clause, and reportedly has the right to void the last season of his deal if he's traded. With Lee, however, the Brewers would only have to pay the remainder of this year's $5.75 million salary and they would also own an $9 million club option for 2010 that would likely be picked up in a heartbeat.
Toronto is reportedly asking the moon for Halladay, and rightfully so. Cleveland would likely demand something similar for Lee, and personally, given the choice between the two, I'd prefer to get the cheaper (and left-handed) ace if the Brewers are going to give up a substantial package.
