Must be nice to be Cliff Lee right now; Rangers/Yankees are in a bidding war

[Auggie]

espndallas.com / 12-10-10

Rangers up the ante for Cliff Lee

The Texas Rangers stepped up their efforts for Cliff Lee, presenting a variety of increased offers to the free-agent pitcher in a face-to-face meeting in Little Rock, Ark., on Thursday.

"We reaffirmed our commitment to fielding a championship-caliber team and conveyed a menu of multiple offers which represented a substantial additional commitment for both years and dollars in an attempt to land his services," Rangers general managing partner and CEO Chuck Greenberg said Thursday night.

He would not say whether the offers were for six years or more, but club president Nolan Ryan indicated Wednesday night that it was probably going to take at least six years to sign Lee and sounded as if the club was seriously considering that kind of commitment.

"We talked about a number of different financial proposals that are consistent with our goals of getting to the World Series," Greenberg said Friday on "The Ben and Skin Show" on ESPN Radio in Dallas.

MORE: http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/mlb/news/story?id=5904569

[El Supremo]

1. I don't know whether to cheer or cry if the Rangers keep him.

Where is the baseball salary cap?

But look at the mediocrity of the NFL.

[HuckleB]

2. I do hope the Rangers win this one.

[wilt the stilt]

3. they are both fools

no way he lasts 7 years. How many starting pitchers are still good at 40.

[TZ]

4. Would be hilarious

If the Nats pulled the upset. They have a seven year deal offer out there as well I understand. I think I'd rather them get Matt Garza but I enjoyed the shock at the Werth signing-- beating the Yankees at their own game would be entertaining....

[Kingofalldems]

6. My gut feeling is he stays in Texas

[TZ]

7. I hope so

After reading this article, I really really want him to NOT sign with the Yankees. God I hate the Steinbrnners.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101210&content_id=16303662&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

[KamaAina]

5. Well, either way, he stays in the American League

where he won't have to get shelled by face the Giants again for a while. :-)

[AndrewP]

8. 7 year contract to a 33 year old pitcher...3 years too many at least