Nationals pursue high-priced Lee

Associated Press

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla.

Well, well, look who’s entered the Cliff Lee sweepstakes — those cash-slingin’ Washington Nationals.

OK, general manager Mike Rizzo admits they probably won’t get him. But the fact the Nationals are even talking to Lee’s agent signals a shift at these winter meetings. As in, this session isn’t just for the Yankees, Red Sox and baseball’s other big spenders.

The Arizona Diamondbacks kept busy Tuesday, giving free agent reliever J.J. Putz a $10 million, two-year deal.

Colorado filled a need by getting 2010 All-Star infielder Ty Wigginton and Pittsburgh added pitcher Kevin Correia, both with $8 million, two-year contracts.

Carl Crawford and Lee still topped the free-agent market. Carlos Pena could make a decision Wednesday and possibly choose the Chicago Cubs while Hideki Matsui attracted interest from Oakland.

Former AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke was said to be available for any team willing to meet Kansas City’s steep price.

“It’s kind of like the offseason becomes fantasy baseball for players, too,” Los Angeles Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. “You always look at who is out there and who might be in your lineup. I think we all did it when we played the game. You’d say, ’Man, if we had this guy or this guy, we could be better.”’

Rockies manager Jim Tracy gave the meetings a jolt when he collapsed around 1 a.m. Tuesday near a bank of elevators. Carried out of the hotel on a stretcher, he was hospitalized because of mild arrhythmia.

The 2009 NL Manager of the Year was released and headed back to his Florida home with his family.

Two days after the Nationals gave free agent Jayson Werth a $126 million, seven-year contract, they nosed around Lee. Rizzo said he’d talked to the ace lefty’s agent, but told Washington-area reporters, “I still think we’re a real long shot to acquire the player.”

At least they’re trying. The Orioles, Pirates and Diamondbacks, all last-place teams like the Nationals, also have made moves inside this Disney resort.

New Milwaukee manager Ron Roenicke, meanwhile, looking forward to writing slugger Prince Fielder’s name on his first lineup card. There has been speculation the Brewers might try to trade their star first baseman, who can be a free agent at this time next year.