Cliff Lee to Rangers OR From worst to first.

[thetmfobserver]

After days and days of speculation, and without a half hour informercial, it was announced that Cliff Lee has signed with the Texas Rangers. The Rangers gave up one of their top young players in Justin Smoak, and a handful of other minor leaguers as well.

First of all, I'm just glad Lee isn't Bronx bound. After the whole LeBron thing, it would have soured me on sports. Plus, its the Yankees. . .

I think this is a good move for Texas, as they get a bona fide ace to top their rotation. With Feldman, Wilson and Colby Lewis, that's easily the best rotation in the AL West, and one could make an argument for one of the better ones in baseball.

As for the Mariners, I don't know much about the minor leaguers, or Smoak for that matter, but I don't see any huge names on the list. Anyone want to enlighten me if I'm missing something?

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

Smoak is considered on of best young hitting prospects in baseball . He was called up around May and has been Rangers starting 1st baseman since . His batting ave. is low around .210 but he is considered a middle of the lineup type of hitter

He was Ranger 1st round pick in 2008 I believe. He is a switch hitter who has an incredible eye at the plate . Many scouts and MLB front offices compare him to Mark Texiera as a hitter

Other major prospect was pitcher Blake Beavan . He was Rangers 1st round pick(17th) in 2007 . At AA He was 10-5 and with a 2.78 era. He was definately considered one of better pitching prospects and a future starter in big league rotation

 

[AmishTickler]

This will be Cliff Lee's 4th different team in a one year period.

The addition of Lee should put the Rangers over the top in the AL West (barring any major injuries). And then anything can happen in the playoffs. We already know that Cliff can handle the Yankees in the playoffs.

At least he didn't go to the Mets or the Yankees. I heard the Yankees were pissed because they thought they already had a done deal to obtain Cliff Lee. Oh well.

 

[Cy/MiG]

Fair trade, hope it works out for the M's.

Glad he wasn't traded to NY.

 

[thetmfobserver]

Smoak is considered on of best young hitting prospects in baseball . He was called up around May and has been Rangers starting 1st baseman since . His batting ave. is low around .210 but he is considered a middle of the lineup type of hitter

He was Ranger 1st round pick in 2008 I believe. He is a switch hitter who has an incredible eye at the plate . Many scouts and MLB front offices compare him to Mark Texiera as a hitter

Other major prospect was pitcher Blake Beavan . He was Rangers 1st round pick(17th) in 2007 . At AA He was 10-5 and with a 2.78 era. He was definately considered one of better pitching prospects and a future starter in big league rotation

Ahh, thanks for the info. That makes a little more sense. Makes you wonder who the Rangers plan on playing at first now, though.

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

Ahh, thanks for the info. That makes a little more sense. Makes you wonder who the Rangers plan on playing at first now, though.

First shot will be Chris Davis. He started the season as Rangers 1st baseman. He is still young (24) and is much better defensively then Smoak . He has light-tower power , and when he was sent back to AAA he hit .350 with a .400 on base percentage.

 

[thetmfobserver]

First shot will be Chris Davis. He started the season as Rangers 1st baseman. He is still young (24) and is much better defensively then Smoak . He has light-tower power , and when he was sent back to AAA he hit .350 with a .400 on base percentage.

Good for Texas. I enjoy that team, and will be excited to see how far they can run now that Lee's on board.

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

Good for Texas. I enjoy that team, and will be excited to see how far they can run now that Lee's on board.

Thank you sir. I have been a loyal Rangers fan for over 30 years and had season tickets for over a decade. This is as excited as fans have been ; well ever!!

 

[ticklingfeet4fu]

The Yankees organization cried foul. They said because they put in their top prospect they should have had Cliff Lee and they are mad. Well...remember when a team offered Teixeira $160 million and the Yankees offered more...well I hope you enjoyed the knob of the bat up your collective arses. Let's hope it spilnters too!

 

[CommBoy]

Being a Mariner fan it is hard to say this but... I will be rooting for the Rangers now.

Even though we only had him for 1/2 a year, Cliff Lee showed everyone here not only how great a pitcher he is but how great a man he is. Coming to the Mariners and sitting in last place for a couple months has to be hard but he went out and gave his all every start and helped a lot of young guys while he was here. I hope he finishes the year 10-0 and the Rangers go on and win it all.

Oh, and thanks for Smoak/others :]

 

[FlockOfSeagulls]

Being a Mariner fan it is hard to say this but... I will be rooting for the Rangers now.

Even though we only had him for 1/2 a year, Cliff Lee showed everyone here not only how great a pitcher he is but how great a man he is. Coming to the Mariners and sitting in last place for a couple months has to be hard but he went out and gave his all every start and helped a lot of young guys while he was here. I hope he finishes the year 10-0 and the Rangers go on and win it all.

Oh, and thanks for Smoak/others :]

Smoak should be a frontline 1st baseman for yeares and Blake Beavan could be a really solid starter too

 

[CommBoy]

Smoak should be a frontline 1st baseman for yeares and Blake Beavan could be a really solid starter too

We could use it!!