Everyone seems to love Cliff Lee, and no one more than Jeff Sullivan. I actually do not love Cliff Lee. I thought he was a hell of a pitcher and fun to watch, but he was hardly here and it’s not like we grew with him or cheered him on as he led the Mariners to destiny. So …that puts me kind of at odds with the collective mood of most Mariners fans. Short of a championship or at least a nice playoff run, the trade for Lee and the trade return for Lee worked out about as well I could have ever hoped.
I am excited to watch Justin Smoak. Renting Cliff Lee and enjoying his finest half-season of baseball was great, but Smoak has a future here.