Cliff Lee bidding war heats up: Yankees offer longer deal after Red Sox sign Carl Crawford
Cliff Lee is on the cusp of a large contract, as the Yankees are now pitching a seven-year deal. Boston has signed Rays outfielder Carl Crawford to a seven-year contract, only raising the bar for Cliff Lee.
Texas Rangers' Cliff Lee pitches during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays during Game 5 of baseball's American League Division Series, Oct. 12, in St. Petersburg, Fla.
Chris O'Meara/AP Photo
Free agent pitcher Cliff Lee is about to become a very wealthy man.
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The veteran lefthander, who enjoyed a stellar 2010 postseason for the Texas Rangers, was reportedly offered a six-year deal by the Yankees, worth at least $137 million.
That proposal has now been extended to seven years.
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But Lee isn't getting fitted for Yankee pinstripes yet. Representatives of the Rangers are reportedly meeting with Lee Thursday at his Arkansas home to discuss his re-signing with the American League champions.
Major League Baseball's winter meetings in Florida ended with a bang late Wednesday night when the Boston Red Sox signed free agent outfielder Carl Crawford to a seven-year, $142 million contract.
The Crawford deal comes on the heels of their trade with San Diego earlier this week to get Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. Yankees fans have taken note: the Red Sox have reloaded to make a serious run at the AL East title.
And that puts more pressure on the New York to sign Lee.
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