More teams look to join Cliff Lee sweepstakes

The Cliff Lee sweepstakes is heating up, with Cincinnati and possibly the New York Yankees joining Minnesota at the forefront. A.J. Burnett’s problems have forced Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman to reconsider waiting for free agency to take his shot at Lee. A team trading for the Seattle starter in the next couple of weeks would owe him only about $4.5 million, which puts him on the radar for even a mid-payroll team such as Cincinnati. … Minnesota’s Carl Pavano, who played with Lee at Cleveland, is pushing hard for GM Bill Smith to pull the trigger on a trade. There has been so much talk about Lee in Minnesota that the Twins could suffer a letdown if they don’t get him. … The Twins’ Jim Thome has joined Babe Ruth, Mel Ott, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Mike Schmidt and Barry Bonds as the only players with 500 home runs, 1,500 runs batted in, 1,500 runs and 1,500 walks. … Boston is working the phones hard to trade for a second baseman with Dustin Pedroia gone for as long as eight weeks. That injury could be a difference maker as the Red Sox seem destined to battle Tampa Bay for a playoff spot. … Kerry Wood converted saves on three consecutive days last week, giving him some trade value he had been lacking. Cleveland may have to eat some salary, but he seems likely to be dealt. … Duke Snider hit nine home runs on July 4. Cleveland’s Travis Hafner is the active leader with six. … According to figures obtained through the team’s bankruptcy proceedings, Texas team President Nolan Ryan is paid $1.5 million. And despite the downturn in the economy, the Rangers claimed revenues of $167 million in 2009, up 12% from $149 million in 2008. … Florida’s decision to keep Edwin Rodriguez as manager through the end of the year came about because ownership wants to see which managers are available after the season. Ozzie Guillen would be at the top of the Marlins’ list if he were available. … The “Moneyball” movie just keeps looking better. It will be directed by Bennett Miller, who was nominated for an Academy Award for “Capote,” and will star Brad Pitt as Billy Beane and Philip Seymour Hoffman as Art Howe. … How wired was Ken Griffey Jr. after Seattle released him? One person who spoke to him on his drive home said Griffey drove from Seattle to Orlando, Fla., virtually non-stop. Think about that.

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