It's Out of His Hands

When the Phillies traded Cliff Lee to Seattle to make room for Roy Halladay, it raised some eyebrows. The only thing most sportswriters considered was how epic that rotation would have been with Cliff and Doc and Cole. What most people failed to consider is that Cliff Lee is now on his third team in the last 9 months. At this time last year, Lee was preparing to defend his American League Cy Young for the lowly Cleveland Indians. By the end of the same season he found himself pitching the opening game of the World Series for Philadelphia. Now he sits on the disabled list in Seattle, wondering when his Mariner debut will come.

How does a player this talented get moved this often? There was some concern about his attitude in 2007, when the Indians sent him to Triple-A Buffalo and failed to include him on their playoff roster as they went to a seventh game in the ALCS. He only responded by winning the Cy Young the next season. His teammates in Philadelphia never spoke a poor word about him, but with only 3 months of getting to know each other, maybe the relationships forged weren't as deep as perceived. He's already stirred the pot in Seattle, getting suspended for throwing at Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder in a meaningless Cactus League match-up.

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro likely breathed a sigh of relief after completing the trade for Halladay. A pitcher with a better track record and hungry for a World Series ring versus a talented, but erratic lefty whose only success has come on the heels of impending free agency. Amaro likely failed to realize that should Seattle fall out of contention, Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik will be forced to move Lee. So now, the Cliff Lee who said he felt 'blindsided' by the trade out of Philadelphia, could return to the National League with a vendetta against the Phils. The Dodgers clearly have the prospects and need for a starting pitcher. The Cubs never shy away from a blockbuster deadline deal and the Rockies are only one player away from being serious pennant contenders. And it gets worse. Maybe Seattle doesn't mind trading him within the AL. I'm sure the Yankees would come calling. The very same Yankees the Phils could potentially play in a World Series rematch. On top of all of that, Lee will be a free agent, free to sign with any team, including the division rival Mets, who will clear some salary with expiring contracts and will be pressured to make a big signing after failing to land John Lackey this past offseason.

This could all be for not, but the possibilities remain. Never count out the Yankees ability to throw a wrench into the playoff picture. The Wild Card may go to the best non-division winner, but the true Wild Card this season will be Cliff Lee's employer.