Roy Halladay is obviously dominating the rumor mill right now as fans across the country assess their favorite team's chances of landing one of the truly elite pitchers in baseball.
However, Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reminds everyone that another ace may also be available with the trading deadline now just 10 days away.
In fact, take a look at how our mystery man compares to Halladay since the beginning of last season:
GS IP ERA W L AVG OBP SLG Halladay 51 378 2.76 31 14 .241 .275 .347 Player X 51 359 2.83 27 12 .265 .301 .364
Player X is Cliff Lee of the Indians, who won the Cy Young award last season and has a 3.31 ERA in 20 starts this year. Lee's potential availability doesn't generate the same number of headlines as Halladay because his track record prior to 2008 isn't as good and terrible run support has him sporting an ugly 5-9 record, but since the start of last season he has the third-best ERA in baseball behind Halladay and Tim Lincecum.
Both pitchers are signed through next season, but Lee is 15 months younger and will make just $8 million in 2010 compared to $15.75 million for Halladay. All things being equal I'd certainly choose Halladay over Lee, but the gap between them hasn't been as big as most people seem to think and given the likely costs involved in acquiring each player Lee could prove to be a better target.
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Did the Mets really turn down the trade offer for Niese, Parnell, F-Mart and a minor league for Holiday ???
Mets deny this was ever offered...otherwise, it would be a solid deal for the Mets.
That would have been good for next year,,,,,,,,,,,
I'm surprised Omar didn't even mention the deal on SNY last night ,,,,,,,,,,,
I would have definetly been happy with that deal especially if you asl Holiday to sign a new contract for 5 years at 20 mil a year.........
Santana, Holiday,Maine,Pelfrey,Perez,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, CANT TOUCH THAT.....
Lee is very inconsistent from year to year. I don't believe he is a top-tier SP and wouldn't draft him for my fantasy team ahead of Halladay, Lincecum, James Shields... Lee is middle-to-low tier.
Brenda--only a Tampa fan would insert James Shields with the likes of Lincecum and Halladay. --although not as bad as Brenda's statement...come on! Seriously? You're comparing the abilities of 1-year-aging-wonder, Cliff Lee to that of perrenial stud Doc Halladay.
I didn't say James Shields was as good as Lincecum or Halladay. I implied that I would take him ahead of Lee.
Cliff Lee came into his own last year. He hasn't been inconsistent. He got really good last year and this year, if his team didn't stink so bad, he'd have a better record and numbers. He is not inconsistent and is a great pitcher, but gets NO credit because he plays for the Indians. Get a grip Brenda and watch some baseball. And for Cliff to win the Cy Young award playing for the Indians last year, was a darn miracle. He is a steal for any team. Yeah may not be AS GOOD as Halliday, but he would be a great addition to any top team. I can't imagine how good he would be if he played for a great team. You hear pitchers all the time talking about how much "easier" it is to pitch when you have a lead or some run support - Lee hasn't gotten that all year.
That is the most compelling reason for a team to make a run at Lee. Plus, the Indians will probably be willing to take much less in return than Toronto just to dump Lee's salary next year. Whoever lands Halladay will have to give Toronto a king's ransom.
As a Rays fan I have to say this about Shields - he's solid and pitches in bad luck. But to place him above a CYA winner (Cliff Lee) is stupid. And to think that Lee compares to Halladay is just as stupid...
Big Game James can complain to me when he starts to dominate entire games.
James Shields? Seriously? I had to think for a minute about who that was.
Lee is middlt to upper tier. Saying he is lower tier is ridiculous.
Lee is middle to lower tier.
*cough* scott kazmir is lower tier *cough*
lee needs run supporttttt