Out of the blue, Philly emerges to land Lee - Just when he seemed on the fence of heading either Texas or New York bound, the Cliff Lee sweepstakes took a surprising twist. Ditching the glam of playing under the microscope that is the big apple, and the sweltering heat Texas has to offer, Lee decided to return to the team that traded him just a year ago. Though his destination might seem like somewhat of a surprise given Philly was under the radar in acquiring Lee, the biggest shocker is the amount of money he left on the table. According to sources, New York offered a 6-year, $138 Million dollar deal with a $16 Million dollar option for a seventh year. Meanwhile, Texas offered a similar contract worth $138 Million over 6-years, the only difference -- a seventh year option of $23 Million.
Those same sources say if Texas was willing to guarantee a seventh year, Lee would have signed on the dotted line. Instead, he settles for 5-years, and $120 Million to pitch in the city of Brotherly Love. After winning a Cy Young Award with a mediocre Cleveland Indians ball club in '08, Lee was traded mid-season to the Phillies, pitching them to their second consecutive World Series appearance and single-handedly won the only two games in the series against the Yankees. With a year left on his contract, the Phils dealt Lee to the Mariners in fear of not being able to sign him to a long term deal, and later packaged a number of prospects to Toronto for Roy Halladay. The move was often criticized, but couldn't have worked out any better now that they have both Halladay who won the Cy Young this past season, and Lee, who was nothing short of magical during his brief stint with the club.
To compliment their dynamic duo of Cy Young Award winners, the Philadelphia pitching staff also includes Roy Oswalt, who has finished atop the Cy Young voting for a number of years, and 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels. With Lee back in the mix, the Phillies now have three of the eight best winning percentages in all of baseball among starters (Halladay and Oswalt), and is being regarded as the best starting pitching staff in all of baseball. However, the reigning World Series Champion San Francisco Giants beg to differ. What the deal means for teams like the Rangers and Yankees that are still in need of an All-Star pitcher, only puts fire under those desperate to make a trade for Kansas City's Zach Greinke. Or perhaps Joe Blaton, who the Phillies are shopping in hopes of cutting payroll.
Although he could have made a bit more cash having signed with either Texas or New York, the $120 Million dollar deal still makes it the fourth richest free agent contract issued to a starting pitcher in Major League history, only behind former Indians teammate C.C. Sabathia's $161 Million with the Yankees, Barry Zito's $126 Million with the Giants, and Mike Hampton's absurd $121 Million dollar contract he signed with the Rockies. Does the acquisition of Cliff Lee now surpass Boston as the clear cut favorites to win it all heading into next season?
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