According to a report on ESPN.com the Yankees have contacted Cliff Lee's agent Darek Braunecker. The most coveted pitcher on the free agent market has publicly stated that he'd love to remain a Ranger. Not being open to offers from other teams would be foolish when his team's President, Nolan Ryan, remarked "you'll have to ask those guys over there," when asked how much it would cost to re-sign him.
C.C. Sabathia signed the richest free agent contract of the off-season two years ago with the Yankees on the first official day of free agency. Given the Yankees pressing need to agree to terms with Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera it is not surprising to see them be less openly courting other team's free agents before announcing deals with three of the core four.
The 2008 Cy Young Award winner was 12-9 between the Mariners and rangers this year with a 3.18 ERA. He had 185 strikeouts and only 18 walks, good for better than a 10 to 1 ratio. In his playoff career he went 7-0 in his first 8 starts with the Phillies and Rangers before losing twice to the Giants in the World Series.
Other teams known to be interested in Lee are the Rangers and Nationals.
The first signing of the year was Johnny Peralta with the Detroit Lions for 2 years at $11.25 million. Expect bigger names to "come on down" as the next contestants in the Price is Right!
Source: ESPN
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