Schadenfreude 104 (A Continuing Series)

Mark Feinsand and Bill Madden, Daily News:

The Yankees finally made an offer to Cliff Lee Wednesday in what was the first step of their master game plan.

That plan got blown to shreds late Wednesday night ...

In addition, the Rangers may be ready to do what it takes to keep Lee in Texas as team president Nolan Ryan suggested Wednesday night that the Rangers may be willing to offer the lefty a six-year deal ...

According to a source with knowledge of the team's thinking, the Yankees had hoped to bag both Lee and Crawford ... Upon learning of Crawford's signing, a Yankees official downplayed their interest in the left fielder.

"We were never really in on Crawford," the official insisted ...

Tyler Kepner, Times:

The Yankees never made him an offer, and may live to regret their decision. ...

The Crawford signing is the second megadeal by the Red Sox in the past week, coming days after their trade with the San Diego Padres for first baseman Adrian Gonzalez. ... [T]he Red Sox have seized the favorite's spot in baseball's toughest division. ...

Everything suggests that the balance of power in the division has shifted their way. ... [T]he Yankees really have no choice. They have to sign Lee. But even if they do, the Red Sox still look better.

Joel Sherman, Post:

Joe Girardi usually tells the media as little as possible and then follows that up with less. The Yankees manager would, in general, not confirm that the sun rose this morning. He treats the identity of his upcoming rotation like codes for atomic weapons. ...

So we can now remove any doubt and describe the Yankees’ condition when it comes to obtaining Cliff Lee as "desperate." And here is why: Because it was Girardi who yesterday offered the strongest public act of craving. ...

The Yankees have been adamant that they will not go the seventh year ...

John Harper, Daily News:

For a few hours Wednesday night it looked as if the Yankees had countered the Red Sox nicely, finally making their move on Cliff Lee as an expected answer to Adrian Gonzalez. ...

And suddenly the Yankees aren't just hoping they made a big enough offer for Lee Wednesday. They're praying.

Ken Davidoff, Newsday:

Well, there goes the phony Plan B, and it just gets better and better to be Cliff Lee this winter. ...

The Yankees ... truly like their outfield of Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson and Nick Swisher. They didn't love Crawford. And as Hal Steinbrenner said Tuesday, "I'm a budget guy."

George A. King III, Post:

"I feel like Hannibal Lecter in a straitjacket waiting on this Cliff Lee thing," Brian Cashman said of his obsession with getting Lee.

Sherman, Post:

The Yankees have increased their offer to free-agent pitcher Cliff Lee to seven years. ...

So after insisting for weeks they would not climb above a six year offer for up to $150 million, the Yankees suddenly felt they had no choice. Boston had added two under-30, two-way stars to energize their fan base and electrify their roster. That pushed the Yankees.

But so did something else: They had no Plan B. ...

Thus, the Yankees did what they so often do: They threw money at their problem. They decided not to worry about $25 million in 2017. They decided not to worry that Lee will pitch until he is 39 years old on a seven-year contract.