Do The Yankees Really Need Cliff Lee?

Let's flash back a little bit. July 29 2009. I'm sitting in a restuarant with my Cleveland loving friend, talking about the Phillies. There were rumors that the Phillies would trade for Roy Halladay right at the cusp of the deadline, but the rade had failed. He asks me how the Phillies will rebound. Breaking news, Cliff Lee has been traded to the Phillies with Ben Fransisco, you know the dill.

Go forward about a year. The trade deadline is on the horizon. Cliff Lee is not sitting very well in Seattle. January news that the Yanks are after Halladay is halted by Roy's signing in Philly. The question pops up...how do we rebound? Javier Vazquez is signed, but does nothing. Soon, we may be braced with the prescence of Cliff Lee in New York. But will the Yankees need him?

Here are some reasons why they might benefit from Lee.

1. If the Yanks do indeed strike postseason gold again, Lee could propel us with his fastball.
2. Our reliable rotation would be Sabathia, Lee, Pettite, Hughes, Vazquez, Burnett.
3. Minor leaguers and rookies that we don't need may prosper in Seattle

Here are some reasons why Lee might not help.

1. The Yankee bullpen may be overcrowded with Lee. Also, Hughes, Sabathia and Pettite would pretty much render him obsolete.
2. Lee's tendencies caused his run in Seattle to be scandal plagued. Could the Yankees catch the scandal big as well?
3. Lee's contract will be up soon, ad he will be a free agent in 2011. Is is really worth it trading for Lee if he'll only last 3 months on the team?

Still,it does make for an interesting story. And who knows where Lee could end up. Maybe the Phillies could accquire him again. Maybe he'll stay with Seattle. Maybe another team will trade for Lee.

With only 22 days until the deadline, there's only one way to find out.

Update- Aw, crap. Less than an hour after my post, Lee got traded...to th RANGERS! He went to Texas for 1st baseman Justin Smoooooooooooooak (On the water).

I guess we can't always get what we want.