Cliff Lee Rumors: New York Yankees to pursue Cliff Lee after deadline
By Josh Hill
The New York Yankees are looking to acquire some starting pitching help but that has been something a lot harder to pursue than they maybe would have thought.
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New York struck early with the acquisition of Brandon McCarthy from the Arizona Diamondbacks but they need to add some more starting depth after losing four of their five Opening Day starters throughout the course of the season.
According to CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman, the Yankees aren’t going to go hard for Cliff Lee before the trade deadline passes, rather they could end up targeting him after the deadline passes and he clears waivers in August.
"While Cliff Lee could become an option later if he pitches some better games in his return after a two-month absence with an elbow issue, the Yankees aren’t focused on him now since he’s all but sure to clear waivers in August and remain a trade candidate."
Lee used to be trade deadline fodder but those times have changed as the veteran has aged and he’s been declining ever so slowly over the last few years. That doesn’t mean he’s not still valuable, because he is, but the desire Lee has to not play in New York should be something the Yankees don’t ignore in their pursuit of starting pitching help.
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