Part 7/9:
Cliff Lee's career offers a well-documented case of competitive trades across divisions. After being dealt from the Indians to the Phillies in a deal that brought a prospect bounty, Lee would change teams yet again, leading to the Seattle Mariners, and ultimately to the Texas Rangers.
While the Rangers aimed for a championship run, Lee’s departure for Philadelphia again raised questions about Seattle’s prospects. Although the deal signified a short-lived pursuit for the Rangers, it quickly turned into a lesson in how investments in rival talent can often lead to regret if the returns don't match expectations.