Cliff Lee has Plenty of Options for Next Season

Most people assume that Cliff Lee is going to be a Yankee next year. Whether or not this is true, he has no shortage of options.  Lee, who has given powerful performances in each of the last two postseasons (with different teams) is being called by plenty of teams with money to spend.

The Washington Nationals have said they have interest in Lee.  While not a likely destination if he is interested in a World Series Ring, the pitching rotation with Lee and Stephen Strasburg would make them more formidable in a division that has been dominated over the past two decades by the Braves and Phillies.

The Boston Red Sox also appear to have interest in adding Lee.  Bidding wars for the Red Sox are nothing new, as they have spent freely in since their 2004 championship to remain competitive with the Yankees.

Surprisingly, the Philadelphia Phillies also appear to want Lee back.  The Phillies traded Lee for Roy Halladay before last season, but if they manage to get him back would have the best rotation in Major League Baseball.  A rotation with Halladay, Lee, Oswalt and Cole Hamels would give them four experienced pitchers.

The Yankees remain the likely landing place though.  With shoring up pitching their top priority, Cliff Lee is the number one pitcher available to acquire.  The Yankees have no problem spending money to bring players to New York, what the deal will likely boil down to is how long the Yankees want to keep Lee on the roster.