Here are a few Cliff Lee Rumors to follow for Thursday:

With Jake Peavy likely out for the year, Scott Merkin of MLB.com says the Chicago White Sox could pursue Lee. Sounds familiar?  PRO Rumors talked about this scenario yesterday.

Mark Sheldon of MLB.com says no formal proposals have been exchanged between the Cincinnati Reds and Seattle Mariners.

Lee was on 710AM ESPN with Brock & Salk and he said he and his agent approached the Mariners before the year began in regards to a contract extension and the team said they’re not going to go down that road before the year.

Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated says the Mariners are targeting the New York Yankees catcher Jesus Montero, Texas Rangers first baseman Justin Smoak, Minnesota Twins catcher Wilson Ramos and Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Wade Davis. He adds that in most circumstances these players alone would not seal the deal. The teams would have to throw a little more beyond the big-name prospects. One interested GM said, “Seattle is still asking for a lot.”

“Pretty much every team within five games of the playoffs” has called the Mariners about Cliff Lee, a source close to Ken Davidoff of Newsday said. That equates to 17 contending clubs.

Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports tweets, “Spoke with a scout who likes #Mets AAA OF Lucas Duda. Might be one of #NY’s best trade chips. 24 yrs old, 14 HR this year.” Could this be a trade chip to acquire Lee?

Jack Curry of YES Network tweets, “For now, any link between Yanks and Cliff Lee is because [Brian] Cashman is being thorough. When marquee players are available, he surveys landscape”

Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports says, “I’m hearing Lee mentioned with the #Mets less and less frequently. #Mariners want a ML-ready power bat, and #Mets not trading Ike.”

The Mariners and Rangers are continuing to talk about Lee, according to Richard Durrett of ESPN.com.  Durrett wonders how many top-level prospects the Mariners will want in return for Lee.