Cliff Lee is Willing to Get Paid

Not long after saying that he would rather work out with the team rather than play in the World Baseball Classic, Tribe ace Cliff Lee has stated that he is willing to discuss a contract extension that would invariably keep him in Cleveland beyond 2010. Lee's agent, Darak Braunecker (the same gentlemen to break the news about the WBC) has put the ball in Mark Shapiro's court when it comes to his client. Ironically, Shapiro was in the same position with then Cy Young winner C.C. Sabathia almost exactly a year ago from this point. Sabathia, coming off of his greatest season as a starter, was not as willing to negotiate - mostly due to the Indians' valuation of his services. For Lee to be a little more willing to listen is great to hear, but may be a bit of a double-edged sword.