As if the odds weren't already stacked against them in their respective divisions, the Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies are two teams that could ill-afford the absence of a key cog in their pitching rotation. Unfortunately, Spring Training has been none too kind to either ball club as they prepare for the regular season without the services of two of the game's most premier pitchers.
After being shutdown for the last seven weeks of the 2014 season with mild inflammation in his right elbow, Rangers hurler Yu Darvish was expected to be good to go at the start of spring training this year. But after pitching only one inning in his spring debut on March 5, the 28-year old Japanese sensation was pulled from his outing when he experienced tightness in his triceps muscle. An MRI would spell even worse news, however, as damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in Darvish's right elbow was revealed, resulting in Tommy John surgery which would put an end to any chance of the 3-time All-Star pitching again in 2015. Already expected to be long shots fighting to stay afloat in the AL Western division with two American League powers in the Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics as well as the much improved Seattle Mariners, the news of Darvish being on the shelf for the season is devastating for fans in Arlington. Texas finished with the worst record in the American League last year at 67-95 thanks in large part to the struggles and absence of first baseman Prince Fielder and though they should finish with a higher win total than they did a season ago, anywhere ahead of a fourth place finish in the division would be a surprise for a Rangers ball club that's only four seasons removed from back-to-back World Series appearances.
As for the Phillies, another ball club not expected to be contending for a title this year, the injury to left-handed pitcher Cliff Lee is as unfortunate as any. Not only because the 36-year old Lee is still among the best lefty's in the league when healthy, but because it ends any chances the Phils had of dealing the southpaw in return for a prospect or two to help speed up Philadelphia's rebuilding process. Since signing a 5-year, $120 Million deal with the Phillies in December of 2010 and taking less than he could have made elsewhere to return to play in Philadelphia where he helped lead the Phillies to their second consecutive World Series during in his first stint with the ball club after being acquired at the trade deadline in 2009, the franchise has been unable capture the success they achieved in Lee's first two seasons. For Lee, who last pitched on July 31 before being placed on the 60-day disabled-list after sustaining the same injury a season ago, it'll be the third attempt to rehab from a torn common flexor tendon in his left elbow while shaking off the idea of having surgery which would cause him to sit out the season.
With $37.5 Million remaining on his contract which includes a $12.5 Million club option to buyout in 2016, the former Cy Young winner hopes the third time will be a charm as his road to recovery figures to be a long one before we'll get to see if the 4-time All-Star can make a return to the mound in the city of Brotherly Love. Without Lee, the Phillies who finished last a season ago (73-89), will have their hands full in an NL Eastern division which homes a number of clubs that are expected to improve from last season as well as arguably the favorite to win it all this season in the Washington Nationals.
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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?
