The Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly in talks with other teams about possible trades involving starting pitcher Cliff Lee, according to Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal.
Lee's price would be pretty steep though, a rival executive told Rosenthal, because the Phillies are reportedly reluctant to eat any of the near-$70 million owed to their ace.They'd also want "three or four" of a team's best prospects, according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman.
One National League executive who spoke to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News believes the Phillies will part with Lee, regardless, and believes the front-runners for his services are the Boston Red Sox. The Red Sox are one of very few teams who have the financial flexibility to take on a contract like Lee's.
The Los Angeles Dodgers -- who claimed Lee last season -- are another, but they haven't had any talks with the Phillies recently, according to Fox Sports' Jon Morosi.
Lee is 10-4 with a 3.05 ERA and a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 5.95 this season, earning him a spot on the NL All-Star squad. He was scratched from his last start with a stiff neck, but indications are he's healthy.
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