Cliff Lee rumors: Phillies can trade to nine teams without consent

On Monday night, Cliff Lee made his first start since the middle of May and was promptly lit up by the San Francisco Giants. Of course, he’s not the first pitcher to fall victim to the National League West leaders though many who watched suggested that Lee wasn’t completely healthy.

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How that will affect his trade value in the coming days is unknown, though it seems as if the Philadelphia Phillies are more than open to trading their former ace. Of course, that might be a bit of a struggle considering his age, sub-par performance, albatross of a salary and huge no-trade clause.

Still, the Phillies can move Cliff Lee without his consent to a handful of teams, this according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.

"Cliff Lee’s deal also includes a limited no-trade clause that allows him to block trades to 20 teams. According to a baseball source, Lee has listed Atlanta, Cleveland, Houston, Miami, Minnesota, the New York Mets, San Diego, Tampa Bay and Washington as the nine teams he can be traded to without his consent."

Ironically, Lee can be traded to every other National League East team, something that he likely did on purpose considering most teams would prefer to trade a player like Lee out of the division. It seems doubtful the Phillies would make an in-division trade and most other teams like the Padres and Rays probably wouldn’t have interest in the former All-Star. Still, there are teams out there that the Phillies could pull the trigger with if they so desired.

Be sure to check out FanSided’s MLB Rumors page to stay up to date with the latest action and rumbling from the baseball hot stove this trade season.

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