Baltimore Orioles: Why Not Cliff Lee?
Mar 31, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee throws the ball in the first inning of an opening day baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Global Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Would there be any possibility that the Baltimore Orioles could find some interest in former ace Cliff Lee as a left-handed starter to round out the rotation?
There is no doubt that this would be quite a comeback story for the 37-year-old.
Whereas there is no deeply credible source that the Orioles are particularly or specifically interested, there is the non-denial remark of Dan Duquette when asked about Lee …
"“Every year we try to sign some pitchers that are coming back from injuries. They’re generally veteran pitchers. Some people call that the Red Cross list. So, we have a couple pitchers like that we’re considering.”"
Another of these “Red Cross projects” that has been linked to the O’s (by Jayson Stark) is Bronson Arroyo, who at age 39 is looking to return from Tommy John surgery.
At 39, & 17 months after Tommy John Surgery, Bronson Arroyo says he's now 'perfectly fine." Wash, Pit, Balt, SD, Atl, Cin & Phil have called
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) December 19, 2015
Cliff Lee is two years younger and is looking to make his way back from a flexor tendon tear (no surgery involved). This seems much more feasible. Lee has been cleared by doctors to begin throwing again and is looking to make a serious comeback. Like many veteran players who may have multiple choices and where money may not be the largest consideration, he would like to play for a team with a chance of winning.
clifff lee looking for 1 year MLB deal. since upside great, he probably gets more than you'd think. main goal to win tho.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 8, 2015
Is Baltimore a place that could appeal in this manner? Of course, he is looking for a major league contract, not some minor league deal with invite to spring training.
What would be a reasonable contract, given all the considerations? He was on the DL for elbow issues in his last season (2014), so there are multiple concerns about durability. But even in just 13 starts that year, he had a 3.65 ERA over 81 innings.
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The four seasons prior to 2014 had simply great numbers for Lee. Averaging 220 innings pitched per season, he had a cumulative ERA of 2.89. Most of that was with the Phillies in decline, so his record was only 49-34. In 2010, his WHIP of 1.003 over 212 innings was the best in the National League. That is an amazing number for a starting pitcher.
So there is no doubt that Lee, when healthy, is a very fine pitcher and was so into his mid-30s. Could he get back to anything close to it?
And again, what would be a fair contract? It would probably be something in the several millions of dollars, but loaded with performance incentives.
Next: Offseasons involve lots of worry in Baltimore
It is my understanding that Lee lives still in Philadelphia, so Baltimore is not too terribly far removed.
This is intriguing, though it has been reported that quite a number of teams have some measure of interest in this possibility.