Cliff Lee Traded to Texas Rangers

Cliff Lee is moving from first to last. The ace pitcher of the last-placed Seattle Mariners was traded to the AL-West leading Texas Rangers in a six-player swap just before the MLB heads into its All-Star break.

Lee, who will be playing in his third team in less than a year, said he is looking forward to helping the Rangers reach the playoffs. “I’m going to try and go there and do everything I can to help them head in the direction they’re heading,” said Lee, who went 8-3 with a 2.34 ERA for the Mariners. He could make his first start for the Rangers as early as Saturday, when Texas takes on the Baltimore Orioles.

With the acquisition of Lee, the Rangers are hoping to maintain, if not extend, their lead in the AL West to secure their first playoff appearance in more than a decade. However, keeping Lee for the long haul could pose a big challenge for the Rangers, who are undergoing bankruptcy proceedings while also facing uncertainty regarding the team’s ownership. Lee, who pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies in last year’s World Series against the New York Yankees, is due to get $9 million this season and is sure to command higher than that in the off season if he continues his current form.

Aside from Lee, the Rangers also got injured reliever Mark Lowe, while the Mariners got rookie first baseman Justin Smoak and minor leaguers Blake Beavan, Josh Lueke, and Matt Lawson.