"Lee's promotion has a dual purpose. Not only will it tell the Dodgers how close Lee is to reaching the Major Leagues, it will showcase him against better competition for clubs that will want him in a trade.I wrote about Lee's promotion on Monday and was happy with the promotion:
Despite the investment the Dodgers have made to sign Lee away from a quarterback job with LSU, the right-hander could become the centerpiece of any deadline deal the Dodgers make this summer."
"I like how aggressive the Dodgers are with their minor-league pitchers, so I'm looking forward to seeing how he handles advanced hitting in perhaps the most talented level of the Minor Leagues. Before the end of the season, he'll work out of the bullpen to limit his innings."However, I neglected to mention anything about being showcased for a trade -- probably because I didn't want to admit there's a chance the Dodgers could trade him in a month.
With the Dodgers needing a lot of help on offense, trading Lee to get a bat seems like a real possibility.
Despite being prospector, I'm not opposed to seeing them dealt -- in the right deal. With Ned Colletti's history of dealing quality prospects/young players, I'm not exactly excited at the potential return.
- He traded James McDonald for six weeks of Octavio Dotel.
- He traded Josh Bell for a LOOGY in George Sherrill
- He traded Carlos Santana for two months of a 35-year-old Casey Blake
- He traded Edwin Jackson for two "All-Star" relievers in Danys Baez and Lance Carter
If the Dodgers are willing to deal Lee, it should be for an impact player. I'd prefer it to be a bat, but it seems pitching is going to be the most common asset available before July 31.
But I'm not completely sure I'd want the Dodgers to deal Lee in a package for a guy like Cole Hamels or Zack Greinke.
Don't get me wrong, it'd be nice to have one (or both) of them, but both are free agents after the season and it's no secret Hamels and the Dodgers would be a great 1-2 combo.
If I'm the Dodgers, I only trade Lee for an impact bat. The pitching has been good enough this season and guys like Hamels and Greinke could be had without having to give up prospects. It leaves the opportunity for another team to acquire either Hamels or Greinke, but the Dodgers have more pressing needs on offense than to make acquiring a starting pitcher their priority.
Lee makes his Double-A debut tonight in Pearl, Miss., against the Braves' affiliate.
Photo credit: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue
It makes sense that Lee is being showcased. He wasn't lights out at RC and is still only 20. I didn't understand his promotion when the Lookouts roster was well stocked with starters and he hadn't overwhelmed in A+.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I really don't want to see him go, especially in a deal for Ryan Dempster. Dempster would be a good addition to our pitching staff, although not our greatest need following three consecutive shutouts, and Dempster is mid thirties. Maybe for a younger guy like Zack Greinke if we have to, but waiting for Greinke or Hamels as free agents seems to be more reasonable. Trade for what we need on offense and buy what we need as pitchers.
I'm hoping if we give up some young arms, and we have to trade quality to get quality, that Ned doesn't see Carlos Lee as quality. Carlos Gonzalez is quality, young and only reaching his prime. Rumors are he might be available. I think we need to do something big if we trade. Something that is geared to the next few years and not just this year.
Zach got through his first inning in AA unscathed.