Could Cliff Lee's Complete Game Gem be His Final Game With the Tribe?

If you happened to decide to tune into the Cleveland Indians game tonight (as painful as that may be as they speed ahead to what may become a 100 loss season) you may have witnessed Cliff Lee's final game as a member of the Tribe, according to reports. The normally reliable Ken Rosenthal of Foxnews.com says that Lee is on the being pursued heavily and may head to the defending World Champion Philadelphia Phillies. He writes:

Asked Monday if the team was still pursuing Indians left-hander Cliff Lee, one club official responded, "We have many balls in the air. And we are still looking for top-of-the-rotation help."

Halladay, 32, has a better track record than Lee, who turns 31 on Aug. 30. But Lee represents an excellent alternative, and it's in the Phillies' interests to create the perception that they have other options.

The question is whether they actually do.

Early talks between the Phillies and Indians over Lee went nowhere. The availability — and durability — of Mariners lefty Erik Bedard remains in question. And the Phillies do not seem interested in second-tier starters such as Diamondbacks lefty Doug Davis.

In theory, the price in talent for Lee should not be as high as the price for Halladay. But Lee is owed about $11.5 million in salary through 2010, including a club option. Halladay is owed about twice that much, making him — in one important sense — less attractive.

Hopefully the Indians don't make the mistake and let Lee go away for nothing short of an amazing offer. The Tribe is said to be wanting young starting pitching in return for 2008 Cy Young Award winner.