Cliff Lee just spent about 20 minutes on a conference call with reporters who cover the Mariners, and one thing was clearly evident. Lee was shocked when the trade went down and it may take some convincing for him to want a longterm contract from the Mariners.
Lee not only wanted to stay with the Phillies, he thought he was close to getting an extension with them. He’d turned down their first offer and countered 10 days later. On that day, Wednesday, they traded him to the Mariners.
Here’s what Lee said in his conference call within the past hour:
What was your initial reaction to the trade, and your thoughts on coming to the Mariners?
LEE: “At first I didn’t believe it because I had thought we were working out an extension with the Phillies and I would spend the rest of my career there. That’s what I was thinking. It goes to show that this is a business and you never know what is going to happen until you have a full no-trade clause.
“I’m looking forward to helping the Mariners win and doing my job every time I take the mound.
“But my initial reaction was disbelief and shock. But after that set in, looking at the Mariners team and what they’ve got, I like what they’ve got.
What was your level of disappointment?
LEE: “Initially, I was disappointed. Making it to the World Series with a team that was there a second year in a row, I was looking forward to making a third run at it this year. There was a little disappointment as far as not being able to be a part of that team and being with those guys. I enjoyed every second I was there. I’m hoping I have the same type of experience there (in Seattle).
“Now, I’ve got to get my bearings straight, get to know everybody and hopefully it turns into something like we had going in Philly. They did a lot of things right and it was a wonderful experience. I hope Seattle turns into that.
How much dialogue was there with the Phillies on an extension?
LEE: “There was not enough dialogue. They had an opportunity to get the best pitcher in baseball. I can’t blame them for choosing Roy Halladay over me. Anybody who really knows baseball knows that if you have one pitcher to build around, it would be him.
“I can’t blame them for making that decision. but it was one of those things that kind of happened overnight. I was under the impression that they wanted to keep me there for a long time and I thought we were in the process of making that happen. Next thing I know, we were traded.
“Not too long after they brought up the idea and made an offer to me, I was traded. That’s me being at the mercy of the team by not having a no-trade clause.”
What does it mean coming back to the American League?
LEE: “I’ve got to. There’s no other option. I’m going back. I’m not going to sit here and be bitter about it. I’m a little disappointed because of what we had going there with the Phillies. It’s a new chapter. I got to go to the Mariner and got to go there and make the best of it. It’s the same type feeling I had when I got traded from Cleveland to Philadelphia. We’re not going to know until time plays itself out. I’ll go in with an open mind and do everything I can to help them win.”
Your thoughts on pitching at Safeco Field with the Mariners’ defense?
LEE: “It’s definitely a pitcher’s park, with Gutierrez in center and Ichiro in right , Figgins at third and Jack Wilson at short, those are all defensive-oriented players. As a starting pitcher, you’ve got to be happy about that. But you’ve still got to go out there and do your job. I’m not going to cut any corners. I will still do everything I can to prepare.
Did you have a chance to consider the Phillies’ offer?
LEE: “Basically, they made me an offer, and the day we made our counter-offer, I was traded. If I had accepted their first offer, I would have signed that and I’d been there. But I don’t know a player in baseball who accepts the first offer.
“In my mind it was going to happen. But it didn’t, so now I’m in Seattle and I’ve got to make the best of it. I think it’s going to turn out positive. I loved it in Philly. Who’s to say it’s not gong to work out in Seattle?
“I don’t know what Seattle has to offer. All I’ve ever seen was from the visiting side. Until I feel out my teammates, the chemistry of the team and how the organization is run … I’m going into it with an open mind. I’m going to go there and be me.”
Are you opposed to negotiating an extension during the season?
LEE: “Fundamentally I’m opposed to that because that can become a distraction and it ends up being about me instead of winning. I’m a little bit opposed to that, but this is a different situation. Even with the Phllies this season, I said the same thing. I don’t want to … answer those questions after every game I pitch, I just want to play ball. But the closer a player gets to free agency, the less likely they are to sign. We get to choose where we go and weigh all the options and see what happens.
“I wanted to stay there. I wanted to play there. They went to the World Series twice in a row. They did a lot of things right. I wanted to be a part of that. I’m hoping the Mariners offer the same sort of thing. If that’s the case, I’m open to staying.”
How did you find out about the trade?
LEE: “I found out the morning after it was broadcast all over ESPN. Ruben (Amaro Jr., Phillies GM) called me that morning and let me know. That was it. I didn’t have a whole lot to say. It caught me off guard and I was surprised by it.”
Have any memories of pitching in Safeco Field?
LEE: “Nothing specific. I know I did like pitching there. I liked playing there. The retractable roof. It’s a nice city. It’s got a lot to offer far as being a nice environment. It’s a fun place to watch a game and play a game.
“It did seem like it was on the other side of the world, but once you got there it was a nice place and a lot of fun to play there.”
What do you want to see out of the Mariners in the way you said the Phillies did things right?
LEE: “I can’t put my finger one way or another that they did. But somehow they got a lineup that (was strong) from top to bottom. They put together a really good team. They went to the World Series twice in a row and they’re lined up to do it again.”
Do you have something new to prove?
LEE: “You got to prove yourself every year. Regardless what you did last year or the year before, every year is a new year. I don’t think what I did last year or the year before is going to help me win a single game this year. I’ve still got to locate pitches, mix speeds and have an idea what I’m doing. Nothing comes easy.”
Where were you when the traded started to go down?
LEE: “I was in the woods. I was deer hunting on my property in Arkansas. My wife called me and told me about the rumors. I just thought it was rumors. The next day I was going hunting again on the Mississippi River and I got the call from Ruben. He told me it was for sure. I didn’t see it on TV or anything.
“My agent had called the Phillies and they kind of downplayed it. I thought for sure it was rumors.”
You’ve been on teams with another great pitcher. What do you know about Felix Hernandez and what will it be like to be his teammate?
LEE: “As far as great stuff goes, it would have to be him and C.C. (Sabathia) neck and neck far as the best pitchers I’ve played with. I played with C.C.a while and know what he’s all about. I know the kind of determination and heart he’s got. I know what Felix has done numbers-wise. I can’t wait to get to know him more as a person.”
Will the opportunity to to pitch in the postseason be a key factor in your next contract?
LEE: “Definitely. That’s what every player who plays this game should strive for, to get to the World Series and win it. You want to play for a team that’s got the best chance there is to win the World Sseries. I’m hoping it’s Seattle this year.
What do you remember about the Griffey incident in 2004 (when Lee threw a pitch behind Griffey’s head and was ejected)?
LEE: “That’s water under the bridge. I hope he doesn’t hold a grudge against me over that. I’ll ask him if he does. If he does, we’ll have to work it out.”
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