Cliff Lee has not pitched in an MLB game since August 2014 due to a flexor tendon tear in his left elbow. After months of rehabilitation, the 37-year-old wants to play for a contender. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe notes that he is a "good gamble," signing for teams like the New York Yankees.

Cafardo added that a few teams have already talked to Lee, but all are worried about his readiness to pitch again in the big leagues. Officials are not informed if he can play for a team when the season starts or if he is planning to enter in the mid-season.

He is also rumored to be asking for a high base salary despite questions about his health. Besides the Yankees, Cafardo also named the Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, Baltimore Orioles, Pittsburgh Pirates, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals as teams that can take a low-risk, high-reward gamble on the left-handed starter.

Brendan Kuty of NJ Advance Media reports that the Yankees may not be interested in Lee if he demands a high base salary. However, he added that Yankees need an additional starting pitcher because their rotation has a long list of injury history. It is also noted that Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has pursued Lee in the past via trade or free agency.

Back in 2010, Lee turned down a seven-year, $148 million offer from the Yankees to play for the Philadelphia Phillies. There were rumors that the 2008 AL Cy Young winner was not comfortable playing in New York City and his wife Kristen had an unpleasant experience with Yankees fans, per the New York Daily News.

Teams are obviously worried about his health as he did not undergo surgery but opted to rehabilitate his injury. He told USA Today back in March 2015 that three doctors advised him that elbow surgery was not needed as it would end his career.

"So basically if I have the surgery this season will be done, possibly my career I guess," Lee said. In a report by FOX Sports, the left-handed veteran was scheduled to make $27.5 million last season but it was bought out by the Phillies for $12.5 million, making him a free agent.

Lee is an accomplished starter throughout his career, winning the AL Cy Young in 2008 while playing for the Cleveland Indians in 2008. He also made two trips to the World Series with the Phillies and Rangers in 2009 and 2010, respectively.

He has a career record of 143-91 with a 3.52 ERA and 1,824 strikeouts, per Baseball Reference. He is also one of the best postseason pitchers of his era with a 7-3 record and 2.52 ERA in the playoffs.