Losing out on Lee hurts, doesn't kill Yankees 2011 season

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

To start off, I want full disclosure here. I am not a fan of either the Yankees or the Red Sox. The Yankees organization, and fans, can say what they want but losing out on Cliff Lee really hurts this team. Simmer down Red Sox fans because this does not sink, or kill, the Yankees 2011 season.

Why you ask? Well, the Yankees starting rotation is really not that far away from the solid rotation the Red Sox have. I'd certainly take Jon Lester and Clay Bucholtz over CC Sabathia and Phil Hughes, but it's not like there that much better. The Sox top two starters combined for a 36-16 record with era's of 3.25 and 2.33. The Yanks top two went 39-15 with higher eras of 3.18 and 4.19. Josh Beckett and John Lackey sound great as your 3rd and 4th starters, but are there are so many questions about those two. Beckett has only had one really good year since coming to Boston, and Lackey showed he's very much a #4 starter last year. On the other side, Andy Pettite is a far more consistent performer as long as he's healthy. I also have no doubt he'll be back in pinstripes now. AJ Burnett was an unmitigated disaster last season, but realistically there's no way he's that bad again this season.

Now let's look at the positional players. Right now I'd say the catching position is a draw, but if one of these teams lands Russell Martin, then they have a slight advantage. Most people would call the first base position a draw, but I think Teixiera is still a better player. When you look at it, I think the Yankees also have an advantage at 2nd base with Cano, 3rd base with A-Rod and shortstop with Jeter. Crawford is a huge upgrade in the outfield, but do you really trust Jacoby Ellsbury, JD Drew and Mike Cameron? Ellsbury has great potential, but does he have the stones to get on the field? Nick Swisher is a better player in right, and I really think Curtis Granderson will have a breakout year if healthy.

What's next for the Yankees? I'm not sure. Brian Cashman has been reluctant to part with his best prospects the past few years. Much like Theo Epstein this offseason, losing out on Lee may put enough pressure on him to move some high level pieces to add the the rotation. I don't see the Yankees trading for Zack Grienke. If I'm the Yankees, I am seriously concerned with Grienke's mental history and his ability to cope with pitching in New York. I'm not convinced the Rays would trade Garza in the division.

Whatever comes next, I'm sure the entire baseball world will be on the edge of their seat.

Superhero Cliff Lee is not a machine

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

He's no superhero.

Yes, I'm talking about the all-mighty golden arm Cliff Lee.

Hey, he's one of the best left-handed pitchers in the game, but even Mr. Lee can't put up goose eggs on the scoreboard all the time.

And Lee showed he's not bullet proof after last night's stinker on the grandest stage against the San Francisco Giants in Game 1 of the World Series.

Isn't Lee suppose to be an ace? He sure didn't deliver the goods for the Rangers -- like an ace should. Well, mind you, Giants ace Tim Lincecum didn't, either, but at least he kept his team in the game.

Lee choked, face it Lee lovers.

This is the same guy that came into the Series with a glossy 7-0 career record in the postseason. But he completely bombed. He was not an ace last night, he was a lost pitcher that couldn't make the proper adjustments to get hitters out.

Granted, Lee made both Tampa Bay and New York Yankees hitters look like Little Leaguers in the playoffs, but the Giants flipped the script and made the lefty look like a No. 5 starter, at best.

Look at Lee's pitching line: 4 2/3 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 6 ER, BB, 7 K. Makes you sick, doesn't it? He also threw 104 pitches, so the Giants really worked him over and hit their pitches.

Yes, Lee is good, but maybe this is a message to the rest of the baseball fans out there that put Lee in this invincible category, that the lefty is not a machine and not automatic every time he touches the hill. He's a darn good pitcher, no doubt, but give credit to the Giants because they humbled Lee and the Rangers -- at least for one night.

I envision Lee bouncing back when he takes the ball for his next start, but what happens if the Giants light him up like a Christmas tree again?

(Cue cash register sound).

That noise you just heard is the cash register closing a bit for when Lee tries to chase down this magical 5-year, $100-150 million contract in the offseason.

Is he worth that much cash if he can't deliver the goods in the World Series?

Stay tuned.

Lee to Phils, VMart next to go?

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Now that the Cleveland Indians have sent Cliff Lee to the Phillies, it looks even more likely Victor Martinez will be next. Why? Phillies catching prospect, Lou Marson was a key piece in the deal. The Indians did very well in my opinion getting Marson, shortstop Jason Donald, and righhanders Carlos Carrasco and Jason Knapp for Lee and Ben Francisco. The Phillies also did very well, picking up a very good lefthanded pitcher without giving up either Kyle Drabek or JA Happ.

Enough Lee talk though. The Indians are now in line to pick up even more top of the line prospects by trading Victor Martinez. The most likely landing spot for VMart is the Boston Red Sox, especially if they're willing to deal Clay Bucholtz. There are other suitors, like the San Fran Giants, but the Red Sox makes the most sense. Martinez would be the long term solution at catcher and could play first base the remainder of this season and next. I don't think the acquisition of Adam LaRoche would impact this deal at all.

That's my prediction, let's see what happens.