3 potential landing spots for Cliff Lee

Tap here to access our MLB Trade Tracker which includes all trades and rumors leading up to the July 31 trade deadline.

You would think the trade market would be more robust for a pitcher with the third-best ERA among left-handed starters over the last five seasons.

But such is life when you're 35 years old with a sore elbow and owed at least $50 millon over the next season and a half.

Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is reportedly ready to part with Cliff Lee given the Phillies' 42-53 last-place record, and might even be willing to eat some of his salary in the process.

Related: 3 trade deadline deals that should happen

For teams in search of pitching, Lee represents a chance to acquire a top-of-the-rotation arm with cost certainty next year and beyond (he's owed $25 million in 2015 with a $27.5 million vesting option for 2016).

Here are three potential landing spots for the Phillies' lefty:

New York Yankees

If it weren't for Masahiro Tanaka's UCL tear, it's unlikely the Yankees would be among a list of possible destinations for Lee.

The Steinbrenners have expressed a desire to eventually work their way under the luxury tax threshold and it would appear counterintuitive to abandon that at the expense of one of the club's few top prospects.

But with just one starter remaining from their Opening Day rotation, the Yankees might be desperate enough to deal for Lee. And given the mediocre state of the American League East, the veteran lefty could shift the balance of power in a New York minute.

While general manager Brian Cashman likely doesn't have the type of package of players the Phillies are seeking, there's a chance the deal could be consummated if the Yankees absorb Lee's salary. 

St. Louis Cardinals

General manager John Mozeliak has the pieces to make this trade happen. 

The Cardinals boast one of the better farm systems in baseball and have the type of major-league ready talent (Carlos Martinez, Oscar Taveras) the Phillies would covet.

Either one of those players would be a big cost to pay for a high-priced pitcher currently rehabbing a sore elbow in the minors, but injuries to Michael Wacha and Jaime Garcia have left the Cardinals' rotation with holes to fill. 

With four teams in the Central separated by only 3 1/2 games, acquiring Lee could swing the pendulum in the Cardinals' favor.

Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore's payroll is the highest its been this millennium, and with Nelson Cruz set to hit free agency and Chris Davis arbitration-eligible, the prospect of taking on a contract like Lee's seems unlikely.

But perhaps no team would benefit more by adding an arm like Lee than the all-offense, no-pitching Orioles. They currently hold a four-game lead in the East despite ranking 11th in the AL in starters ERA (4.09).

The Orioles lack a No. 1 starter - and perhaps a two and three as well - and have the pieces (Dylan Bundy, Kevin Gausman, and Hunter Harvey) to get a deal done if they so desire. 

If Orioles general manager Dan Duquette is indeed all-in this year, Lee could very well be calling Baltimore home by the end of the month.