By Justin Worsley
The Texas Rangers have secured the first blockbuster trade in the Major Leagues this season, acquiring their new ace pitcher, Cliff Lee in a trade with division-rival Seattle Mariners.
Joining Lee, the 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner while pitching in Cleveland, is reliever Mark Lowe. In exchange, Seattle will receive first baseman Justin Smoak along with three minor league players. Seattle will also send over $2.25 million to help pay the remaining of Lee's $4.2 million contract. Texas is financially strapped after recently filing for bankruptcy and the team is currently on sale.
The Rangers, who lead the AL West, swept in to snatch Lee after talks between the New York Yankees and Seattle broke down. Seattle is currently in last place of the AL West and are 16 games behind Texas for the lead.
Lee, who ironically earned his first win of the season over Texas, is currently 8-3 with a 2.34 ERA. The 31-year-old lefty was named to the 2010 All-Star game where he will most likely be named the starting pitcher.
Lowe, 27, has been on the disabled list since May 3. The right-handed thrower underwent season-ending back surgery to repair a lower back disk inflammation.
For Lee, it will be his fourth team in two years. Cleveland traded Lee to Philadelphia just before the trade deadline last season and he was then traded to Seattle in order to Philadelphia to acquire Roy Halladay. Lee will be a free agent after this season.
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