Show Lee The Money

Rangers must do everything they can to sign Cliff Lee (left) and remain relevant in the landscape of Major League Baseball. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, File)

As the bidding war escalates between the American League Champion Texas Rangers and 27-time World Champion New York Yankees, it's time for the Rangers' brass to do what that did in acquiring Cliff Lee out from under the Yankees in the first place: up the ante.

Show Lee the money!

I've read some grumblings from Dallas-area sports columnists about how this signing is similar to the epic-fail courtship and record-setting contract given to Alex Rodriguez by former owner Tom Hicks just nine seasons ago.

This is a not a fair comparison, in fact, it's a vast underestimation of Lee's talents and what he brings to a team.


Bringing in Rodriguez before the 2001 season was a ploy to generate revenue and fan interest for a team with a lack of pitching and no chance of making the postseason as the glory days of the late 90's were clearly at an end. Rodriguez was a great infielder and incredible hitter for Texas, but his skills in no way match that of a Cy Young winning, playoff dominating pitcher like Lee. The now-Yankees' shortstop failed to lead the Rangers to the playoffs in any of his three seasons with the club, despite hitting over .300, belting an average of over 50 home runs and more than 120 RBI in each of those seasons.

Lee's dominance transcends an excellent play in the field here, or a three run home run there in that he can put a team on his back and win a playoff series. He did it against Tampa Bay in the American League Divisional Series: dominating both of his starts against another great pitcher in David price and doubling the Rangers career playoff win total in the process to ensure Texas the first playoff series victory in franchise history.

Let's also not forgot the complete and utter mind-bang the Rangers were able to put on the Yankees in the American League Championship Series. New York knew that they would have to face Lee a second time if they had won game six, this after Lee had blanked them in game three: allowing only two hits with 13 strikeouts for the win. When the Rangers were able to win that first game in New York, taking a 2-1 series lead, it sent a message that in order to go through Texas, you had to beat Lee.

Not to mention the fact that this former Cy Young pitcher brings instant credibility to the Rangers.

Without Lee, this Rangers' ball club is an also-ran in a crowded American League playoff picture next season. Compound that with the fact that, not only will you lose Lee, but he's going to the most talent-laden team in baseball - the New York Yankees - and the Rangers are shooting themselves in both feet if they don't lock up one of (if not the best) pitcher's in baseball.

Sure Texas could trade for former Cy Young winner Zach Grienke (giving up the farm in the process) or sign Matt Garza from the Tampa Bay Rays for a lot cheaper than Lee, but both of the players are unknown commodities. Texas knows what it has in Lee: a dominant pitcher both during the regular season and in the postseason.

Also keep in mind: if Grienke contributes Lee-like performances like the Rangers hope, won't the Yankees be banging his door down in two years for his services? In the best case scenario, Texas would be right back in this situation.

Sign the guy you know can lead you to the World Series.

If Lee gives you just two, three or even four more seasons of what he's shown in last few years and Texas makes it deep into the postseason every year, it's a sound investment - regardless of the final three years of the contract.

The Rangers went for it all in last season's blockbuster trade for Lee, reassuring a jaded fan base that the new ownership group was intent on trying to build a World Series contender. It's time to reaffirm that stance and sign the guy that got you to the dance, no matter the cost.