The Texas Rangers Land an Ace in Cliff Lee

In the morning it looked like the rich were going to get richer, as it was rumored that the New York Yankees were close to trading for the Seattle Mariners Cliff Lee. That rumored deal fell apart in the afternoon and the Texas Rangers were there to pick up the pieces. The Mariners traded Cliff lee and relief pitcher Mark Lowe to the Rangers for first baseman Justin Smoak and three minor leaguers.

Lee, who was only with Seattle for a half of a season, has a record or 8-3 with an earned run average of 2.34 this season. He has a career record of 98-55 in nine big league seasons. The 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner also has a postseason record of 4-0 with a 1.56 earned run average.

The Mariners coveted Justin Smoak and got their man. The rookie first baseman has just a .209 batting average, but has 8 home runs and has driven in 34 runs. The three minor league players are pitchers Blake Beaven and Josh Lueke, and second baseman Matt Lawson.

Seattle also added some money in the deal to help the cash strapped Rangers pay Lee's 2010 salary. Lee can become a free agent at the end of this season.

With this deal the Rangers become serious contenders in the American League. They already hold the biggest divisional lead in baseball, with their 5 1/2 game cushion over the Los Angeles Angels. The Rangers got the ace they have been looking for and paired with their explosive offense, could bring a title home to the lone star state. Of course this is all too early to call, for the other contenders in the A.L. still have over three weeks before the trade deadline to respond. This was the first deal, of what could be a very interesting period before the trade deadline. Stay tuned.

Sources:

Cliff Lee page, baseball-reference.com

Justin Smoak page, baseball-reference.com

T.R. Sullivan, rangers acquire Lee from Mariners. mlb.com