Quote:
Originally Posted by mlyons
What financial flexibility? If they didn't trade Lee but instead let him walk at the end of the season, it only would have cost them another $9 million. That's not going to make the difference in re-signing Howard or Werth.
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Not direct financial flexibility in the short term but if they would have kept lee they would probably have besides brown close to zero prospects who are close to mlb ready now. In the next couple years when Rollins, Hamels, Blanton, Victorino, and some others leave they'll need to be replaced and keeping Lee and getting two draft picks who won't be ready for close to 4+ years isn't the answer. By at least giving them a chance to have some guys who can step in there it allows them the ability to focus on putting their money on Howard and Werth and not having to invest it elsewhere and lose one or both of them.