Lee's courting just getting started

"The 32-year-old left-hander figures to land a contract in the same zip code as CC Sabathia's seven-year, $161 million deal from two years ago."

Logic tells me he figures wrong. Main difference between Lee and Sabathia/Santana is that Lee is 32, soon to turn 33. CC and Santana were both in their mid to late 20's when they signed their deal. I'd offer 5 and 100 mil and that's still overpaying. No way I bet he's worth the money at age 38. Then again, I don't run the Yankees.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 09:36 AM ET  11.15 by solohombre

"The 32-year-old left-hander figures to land a contract in the same zip code as CC Sabathia's seven-year, $161 million deal from two years ago."Logic tells me he figures wrong. Main difference between Lee and Sabathia/Santana is that Lee is 32, soon to turn 33. CC and Santana were both in their mid to late 20's when they signed their deal. I'd offer 5 and 100 mil and that's still overpaying. No way I bet he's worth the money at age 38. Then again, I don't run the Yankees.

Yeah, anyone who pays Lee $20M for more than four years will be regretting it. Seven year contracts never work out, espeically for someone ready to start working the downside of their career.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 09:36 AM ET  11.15 by solohombre

"The 32-year-old left-hander figures to land a contract in the same zip code as CC Sabathia's seven-year, $161 million deal from two years ago."Logic tells me he figures wrong. Main difference between Lee and Sabathia/Santana is that Lee is 32, soon to turn 33. CC and Santana were both in their mid to late 20's when they signed their deal. I'd offer 5 and 100 mil and that's still overpaying. No way I bet he's worth the money at age 38. Then again, I don't run the Yankees.

Actually, Lee just turned 32' but your point remains.

I could see him getting a deal with similar per year dollars, but I think seven years is a real stretch. Then again, if the Yankees really want him, that may be what they have to do to get him.

QUOTE(#5):

Originally posted 09:42 AM ET  11.15 by Piltdown Rabbit

Yeah, anyone who pays Lee $20M for more than four years will be regretting it. Seven year contracts never work out, espeically for someone ready to start working the downside of their career.

He'll get at least a four year $80m contract. Guaranteed. I don't think there's any doubt he'll get $23m+ per year. He is 32, but he's one of the elite pitchers in the game at this point, is an unrestricted free agent in an otherwise weak free agent pool.

QUOTE(#4):

Originally posted 09:36 AM ET  11.15 by solohombre

"The 32-year-old left-hander figures to land a contract in the same zip code as CC Sabathia's seven-year, $161 million deal from two years ago."Logic tells me he figures wrong. Main difference between Lee and Sabathia/Santana is that Lee is 32, soon to turn 33. CC and Santana were both in their mid to late 20's when they signed their deal. I'd offer 5 and 100 mil and that's still overpaying. No way I bet he's worth the money at age 38. Then again, I don't run the Yankees.

agreed... whoever pays that price, will be sorry for the last 2-3 years...

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 10:02 AM ET  11.15 by Slinkton Sr.

but he's one of the elite pitchers in the game at this point,

26 wins 22 losses and a 3.20 ERA over the last two regular seasons....not as elite as everyone thinks

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 10:02 AM ET  11.15 by Slinkton Sr.

He'll get at least a four year $80m contract. Guaranteed. I don't think there's any doubt he'll get $23m+ per year. He is 32, but he's one of the elite pitchers in the game at this point, is an unrestricted free agent in an otherwise weak free agent pool.

Be interesting to see, if he gets at least a 4 year deal for more than $92M , will CC Sabathia opt out of his contract after next year. 4 years and 92M is what he would be owed, and he would be a year younger than Lee.

QUOTE(#8):

Originally posted 10:02 AM ET  11.15 by nashrocks

agreed... whoever pays that price, will be sorry for the last 2-3 years...

I don't think the teams that give pitchers 5-7 year contracts are expecting to "get their moneys worth in the late years. I think they look at it more as deferred payment for the early years and, if the player does produce late in the contract, it's gravy.

Fat people love gravy.

QUOTE(#10):

Originally posted 10:09 AM ET  11.15 by jnorman41

Be interesting to see, if he gets at least a 4 year deal for more than $92M , will CC Sabathia opt out of his contract after next year. 4 years and 92M is what he would be owed, and he would be a year younger than Lee.

Exactly. If Lee gets a $100m+ contract and Sabathia has a solid 2011, I don't think there's any question that Sabathia will opt out.

QUOTE(#7):

Originally posted 10:02 AM ET  11.15 by Slinkton Sr.

He'll get at least a four year $80m contract. Guaranteed. I don't think there's any doubt he'll get $23m+ per year. He is 32, but he's one of the elite pitchers in the game at this point, is an unrestricted free agent in an otherwise weak free agent pool.

No doubt. He could probably even live up to four years $80M, but it's a stretch. Beyond that, the odds are strong that there will be some serious buyers remorse.

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 10:13 AM ET  11.15 by Slinkton Sr.

Exactly. If Lee gets a $100m+ contract and Sabathia has a solid 2011, I don't think there's any question that Sabathia will opt out.

that's why the Yankees had better be careful what they offer.

QUOTE(#11):

Originally posted 10:11 AM ET  11.15 by Slinkton Sr.

I don't think the teams that give pitchers 5-7 year contracts are expecting to "get their moneys worth in the late years. I think they look at it more as deferred payment for the early years and, if the player does produce late in the contract, it's gravy. Fat people love gravy.

What do you call ARods deal? A down payment on the national debt?

QUOTE(#12):

Originally posted 10:13 AM ET  11.15 by Slinkton Sr.

Exactly. If Lee gets a $100m+ contract and Sabathia has a solid 2011, I don't think there's any question that Sabathia will opt out.

Interesting point. Arod-gate Part 2. The Red Sox could pretend to be interested too. I love when history repeats itself.

QUOTE(#15):

Originally posted 10:15 AM ET  11.15 by Piltdown Rabbit

What do you call ARods deal? A down payment on the national debt?

Think of the money the Yankees could be shelling out in say 4 years to no longer productive players, if they're not careful.

QUOTE(#9):

Originally posted 10:09 AM ET  11.15 by Joe Mammy

26 wins 22 losses and a 3.20 ERA over the last two regular seasons....not as elite as everyone thinks

Yes, he is.

Wins and losses are a joke, especially if you consider that about half of his starts over the last two years were for two of the worst teams in the AL.

As far as his 3.20 ERA goes, make a list of the AL pitchers who have a 3.20 ERA in at least 435 innings over the last two years.

What a joke - other teams/Red Sox drive up the price? What does it matter? Yankees will top any offer because they can. Sox offer $100M for five years is probably the only way they or any other team have a shot, and can't imagine any team stupid or rich enough to do that contract - except NY.

It is just getting started...plenty of time to repeat all of this...

QUOTE:

Originally posted by

this is nor your Dad's MLB anymore...i'm not looking this up, but am willing to bet that each for the past 15 years, less than 5 starting pitchers have ERAs less than 3 in the AL

Without looking it up i will go with very few starters have had sub 3.00 Eras while pitching substantial innings.

QUOTE(#18):

Originally posted 10:20 AM ET  11.15 by Slinkton Sr.

As far as his 3.20 ERA goes, make a list of the AL pitchers who have a 3.20 ERA in at least 435 innings over the last two years.

Felix Hernandez is the only one.

Halladay would be in there two if it wasn't for the trade to Philly.

That's pretty elite company.