According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Rangers are working “really hard” on getting a Cliff Lee deal done. Sherman also reported earlier that the Yankees were “not in it” anymore after the Mariners cooled off on the Yankees offer. Speculation is that the Yankees had offered top prospect Jesus Montero to go along with David Adams and Zach McAllister.
Further, Ed Price of AOL FanHouse now is reporting that the Rangers are willing to part with Justin Smoak to acquire Cliff Lee in a trade.
The Yankees had been looking to a resolution on Cliff Lee before tonight’s game in Seattle where Phil Hughes will pitch against Cliff Lee – assuming Lee is still a Mariner by the time the game starts.