RealGM

There are a lot of reports out there.

Philly Sports Daily (I looked, the guy who reported it used to work in D.C.) says the team has met with Cliff Lee - not sure how serious their interest is: http://phillysportsdaily.com/phillies/2010/12/07/nationals-interested-in-cliff-lee/

Mark Zuckerman says the Nationals have always wanted Lee, but they won't go 7 years: http://natsinsider.blogspot.com/2010/12/nats-want-lee-but-not-for-7-years.html

Ben Goessling says the Nats are wading into Lee situation with caution cause they don't wanna be used as pawns for other teams, a la Mark Teixeira: http://www.masnsports.com/the_goessling_game/2010/12/where-i-think-the-nationals-stand-with-cliff-lee.html

I think the 3rd assumption is correct, they don't want to be used by their agent so that the Yankees or Rangers swoop in and match the offer. I wouldn't go 6 years either, but if that gets him here, you do it. A rotation of Lee-Zimmerman-Lannan-Marquis has a lot of potential. Then you add Strasburg to the mix in 2012, and the rotation is pretty sick.

They're serious, but realistically they know it isn't gonna happen. I don't think Lee is using the Nats, but the Yankees are intent on driving up the price now. They want another dominant lefty to attack Boston's left-handed hitting lineup.

Nats committing 40 million to two players (Werth, Lee) for the next seven years is too much of a risk.

Can't believe Lee signed with the Phillies.

What does that do with the Nats and going after Greinke or Garza? I would think Garza would take less prospects.

Rafael122 wrote:Can't believe Lee signed with the Phillies.

What does that do with the Nats and going after Greinke or Garza? I would think Garza would take less prospects.

I am shocked. Didn't see it coming at all.

I think it does somewhat bump the chances the Nats make a move for one of those starters. Garza would in theory take less, the Royals are known to have a very steep price for Greinke. The sticking point is that both teams would probably want either Espinosa or Desmond in the deal, and the Nats simply don't have any options right now to replace either.