In this Yankees rumors and news update, scouts for the New York Yankees were present for Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee's last rehab start, prompting speculation that a potential deal could be in the works
According to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, "two teams looking for starting pitching -- the Yankees and Blue Jays -- scouted Lee’s last rehab start in Clearwater."
The soon-to-be 36-year-old Lee has been on the disabled list since May 21st with a strained flexor-pronator tendon in his pitching elbow, per Brendan Kuty of NJ.com. He will come off of the DL on Monday to face the San Francisco Giants in the first of a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park.
Lee is 4-4 with a 3.18 ERA so far this season, but carries $37.5 million in guaranteed salary after this season - a financial commitment that is scaring off plenty of prospective suitors.
However, with the Yankees just three games out in the AL East entering play on Monday, general manager Brian Cashman will likely be in buying mode before the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline.
As is normally the case, "buying mode" for the Yankees means that contracts such as Lee's aren't prohibitive. If Cashman feels he can wring prolonged value out of Lee as he approaches the twilight years of his career, don't be surprised if a deal gets done in the next ten days.
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