<TABLE width="100%" align=center><TBODY><TR><TD class=vaLabel vAlign=top rowSpan=5 width=100 align=middle>
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Report: Rangers take lead in Lee sweepstakes </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Cliff Lee - S - SEA - Jul. 8 </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>One rival general manager tells Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com that the Rangers have become the favorite to land Cliff Lee.
According to the report, Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik covets rookie first baseman Justin Smoak. However, the Rangers' reluctance to include Smoak in an offer for Lee is one of the biggest hurdles in the way of a deal. There's also the issue of the approximately $4 million remaining on Lee's contract for this season, a figure that is too expensive for the Rangers to afford. It's possible the Mariners could cover the cost of Lee's salary should the team be willing to trade better players or prospects. It's unlikely, but Smoak would certainly fit that description.
Source: FOXSports.com
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According to the report, Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik covets rookie first baseman Justin Smoak. However, the Rangers' reluctance to include Smoak in an offer for Lee is one of the biggest hurdles in the way of a deal. There's also the issue of the approximately $4 million remaining on Lee's contract for this season, a figure that is too expensive for the Rangers to afford. It's possible the Mariners could cover the cost of Lee's salary should the team be willing to trade better players or prospects. It's unlikely, but Smoak would certainly fit that description.
Source: FOXSports.com
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