MLB Trade Rumors: Yankees, Phillies Should Swap Cliff Lee for Alex Rodriguez
October 31, 2012 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
Most of us have talked about wanting the New York Yankees to trade Alex Rodriguez.
We know that, because of how much is left on A-Rod’s contract, it’s going to be very hard for Yankees GM Brian Cashman to deal him.
However, Corey Seidman of CSN Philly talked about how the Philadelphia Phillies have a glaring need at third base and the potential interest for the Yankees third basemen.
Pursuing A-Rod makes sense for the Phillies, who have a glaring hole at third base. There just aren’t many impact names set for free agency at the position … A-Rod is not the player he was in his 13-year peak, when he hit .308 with averages of 42 homers and 122 RBI per season. He’s not even the player he was in 2009 and 2010, when he had an .888 OPS and 30 homers each year. But he’s still a vast upgrade over what the Phillies have. Phillies third basemen hit .272 with five home runs and 42 RBI in 162 games this past season.
Getting A-Rod would improve the Phillies, who need offensive firepower. Despite the fact that they are getting older in the infield with Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley, A-Rod would be an immediate upgrade on offense over Placido Polanco, who is a free agent.
I have a trade idea for the Yankees and Phillies to make this winter.
The Yankees send A-Rod and the rest of his contract to Philadelphia and the Yankees get Cliff Lee and take the rest of his deal.
It would make a ton of sense for the Yankees because they would be taking on three more guaranteed years of Lee’s contract as opposed to the five on A-Rod’s contract.
A-Rod still has a guaranteed five years and $114 left, plus all of the bonuses that can increase his season salary to $30 million each year for hitting milestone home runs 660-763.
Lee still has a guaranteed three years and $75 million left, plus a vesting option for 2016.
The Yankees also have gaping holes in their rotation given the fact that both Hiroki Kuroda and Andy Pettitte are both free agents and it’s not certain yet if they are coming back for 2013.
So acquiring pitching for the Yankees is an absolute necessity for the third straight offseason. This is where getting Lee (just like back in the winter of 2010 when Lee spurned the Yankees for the Phillies) would make a major impact for the Yankees.
Plus, throw in the fact that the Yankees top pitching prospects Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances have taken a major step backwards in their progression towards getting called up, and the Yankees need immediate help for the future.
This trade suggestion is a trade where both teams are filling holes, despite both players having large remainders of their contracts left.
But trading A-Rod to the Phillies would give their team another right-handed bat in their lineup, and trading Lee to the Yankees would give their rotation another strikeout pitcher who has a ton of experience and is still dominant.
Hopefully, Cashman and Phillies GM Ruben Amaro, Jr. can get together and pair up for a trade that can help each other out on the field.
Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.
Read more New York Yankees news on BleacherReport.com
Yankee Tickets
Shop Yankee
