Philadelphia Phillies: 10 Reasons Why They Might Not Win The NL East

Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels. This is an amazing starting rotation, but is it enough to win the NL East? 

The Phillies are the talk of baseball, and they are projected to win the NL East, but is it really a guarantee? 

The answer is no.

As a Phillies fan, I consider myself unbiased on the subject, and I have picked up on a lot of their struggles during last season (many of which have not been addressed).

I know many of you out there want to hear about how the Phils won’t be the best team ever since there are 29 other teams in the MLB, so here they are, the 10 reasons that the Phillies might not win the NL East (in no specific order).

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Cliff Lee Signing Signals Phillies Are and Will Remain an Elite Organization

The Philadelphia Phillies surprised the baseball world, and perhaps even themselves, when they snatched Cliff Lee on the free agent market a couple weeks ago. 

Not only did the signing seemingly come out of nowhere due to the stealth negotiations, but they undercut the New York Yankees in the process. Ever since Lee appeared headed to test the market, the big money has been on the Yankees to land him for the same reason— big money. 

The Yankees have deep pockets and a long history of paying top dollar to get the players they desire the most. A-Rod, Mark Texeira, CC Sabathia, Reggie Jackson, Catfish Hunter, Dave Winfield, Goose Gossage, and Andy Pettite are just some of the big name, big dollar signings. 

And, if the Bronx Bombers couldn’t entice Sabathia’s ex-Cleveland Indians buddy to sign, the Texas Rangers were poised to offer up the necessary dollars and years to keep the hurler that led them to their first World Series in October. Additionally, Lee loved his brief tenure with the Rangers, the team possessed the talent to win, and Arlington was relatively close to his home. 

Just days earlier, the Phillies lost their own free agent, Jayson Werth, to the Washington Nationals and a monster contract.  

Although they hated to see him go, the Phillies already possessed a payroll that stretched way beyond the limits most would imagine just a year or two ago. They seemed to be in a holding pattern with their salary budget, still trying to get comfortable with what they already had on the books. 

Then, suddenly, word crept out that the Phillies might be a mystery team in the hunt for Lee’s services. In the coming hours, speculation turned to rumor and then to news. 

The Phillies had reached an agreement with Lee pending the customary physical examination as well as the requisite dotting of the i’s and crossing of the t’s.   

With the move, the Phillies had assembled a starting rotation of historic proportions and suddenly went from top contender to the favorites for 2011. 

It was a leap that most long-term Phillies fans could have never imagined. 

Heck, just a year ago, the team dealt Lee away when they acquired Roy Halladay— and even if they wanted to replenish the farm system, most everyone knew the key driver was economics.  

The Lee signing also sent a bright signal that the Phillies have officially become a “big market” team after operating as a “small market” team for virtually all of its 127-year existence. 

The Phillies have ascended to the level of the Yankees and Boston Red Sox- two teams that annually set their sights on winning a championship and make the financial commitment to support that goal. 

And, like those teams, the Phillies appear poised to remain in that stratosphere for the foreseeable future. 

Some could view the situation as a temporary phenomenon that will change as high priced players start to roll-off the payroll, but here are five reasons that the Phils are here to stay for awhile. 

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Cliff Lee and Zack Greinke: Surprises That Should Not Have Been Very Surprising

I could have sworn everyone was expecting Cliff Lee to go to the team that offered him the most money.  He was supposed to become the second highest-paid Yankee and the third most-overpaid Yankee.

Zack Greinke was supposed to be the consolation prize for the team that lost out on Cliff Lee. He was supposed to mesh well and find comfort with the young base in Texas.

The Yankees and Rangers were not longshots to meet again in October 2011.

But the road to October just got a bit rocky for these two teams.

The Yankees well-documented pitching flaws are legit and barring a resurgence of A.J. Burnett, they might find themselves competing with Tampa (and Oakland, and Texas, and Minnesota, and Chicago and maybe the Angels) for the wild card. Their problem could compound if CC Sabathia goes back on his word that he won’t exercise his opt-out clause next year.

The strongest teams have potent dual aces. No one gets by with an ace, a number three and Sergio Mitre.

The Rangers, meanwhile, are also without the ace that carried them to the playoffs. Their corps of number two starters—or worse—will not carry them far. CJ Wilson overachieved. Tommy Hunter is overrated. Scott Feldman’s career year is in the rear-view mirror. 

And the losses in Texas and New York have turned into gains in Boston, Oakland, L.A., and Tampa.

Boston’s list of 2010 offseason victories could fill a small newspaper. Brian Cashman’s hair will grow a little thinner and Nolan Ryan’s face will have new wrinkles come June, when the next major bidding war centers around Carlos Zambrano or Matt Garza.

Talented pitchers, yes, but not Lee or Greinke.

How did we so misunderstand Cliff Lee? He had nice things to say about the Yankees when he became a Ranger. Quotes popped up alluding to his desire for the most riches spread over the most years. One quote said that if one team offered him one dollar more than his next-highest offer, he would join them.

But he settled for $40,000,000 less and potentially one year less to become a Philly again.

And why shouldn’t he?

After all, comfort is key to performing on the field and having fun while doing so. The Phillies already had a near-brilliant rotation. He could join Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt. That sounds a little better than Sabathia, Burnett, Hughes. And a little better than Lewis, Wilson, Hunter.

Actually, it sounds a lot better than both alternatives put together.

It seems as though everyone was expecting Cliff Lee to go to the team that offered him the most money and the most years. Did anyone doubt that would be the Yankees? Yet, Cliff Lee was sorely misunderstood and, in hindsight, maybe we should have seen something like this coming.

It took him a long time to make a decision.

There were some signals that he might not fit in with the Yankees. Rowdy fans spat on his wife during the playoffs. He responded sarcastically (and winningly) to Michael Kay calling it “childish” that Cliff Lee doesn’t change caps when the one he’s using begins to show wear.

The Yankee brass can be an uptight bunch and that could be offputting to a new player, especially one as laid back as Lee.

And at the end of the day, the childish ones were the Yankees. My beloved Yankees who, for far too long, have wielded a well-stacked wallet, sometimes devoid of common sense. This has been a team that chases the elite free agents and pays them handsomely, well after they are done being elite players. They too often fail to develop homegrown talent, chasing immediate glory time and time again.

This time they lost. Twice.

One lesson to take from this is that some people are underwhelmed with the luster of pinstripes. That is a lesson we all should have learned long ago, but Cliff Lee serves as a reminder.

Zack Greinke should serve as a reminder that some people may be overwhelmed by the stripes. The Yankees pulled the plug on negotiations with the Royals for fear that Greinke might not be able to handle the spotlight.

Maybe they were right. He did miss a year due to extreme anxiety.

But let’s not jump to the conclusion that the Yankees are doomed.

Their lineup can still mash with the best of them. It is a lineup without holes, an offensive force whose greatest need is someone to back up the regulars—a need that will easily be filled. They have one of the top pitchers in the game already. They have one of the best relief pitchers ever.

They will win 90 games this year and still might call it a failure.

Anyway, Cliff Lee is human and can be beaten. Zack Greinke was a mere mortal in 2010. In three years Cliff Lee will be a very rich Andy Pettitte-type pitcher. No one cowers at the thought of facing Pettitte, as good a pitcher as he still is.

Over the next couple of years, however, the Phillies and Brewers have signed up for meaningful games in September.

The Phillies should bulldoze their way over their division rivals. They are still stronger than the Braves, barring mammoth seasons by Uggla and Heyward, and head and shoulders above the other three teams.

The Brewers should be able to hang with the Reds, but might not be able to catch St. Louis. What we do know is that they will make a run at the NL Central title and that means more work for the Cardinals. More work for the Reds. It means the Cubs and Astros are even further away.

And it means a very lucky Zack Greinke will get to face Pittsburgh two or three times.

Cliff Lee and Zack Greinke did not simply realign the NL Central race and make the Phillies the team to beat in the NL.

It represented a shift away from the allure of the almighty dollar and the proven winners. The best pitcher available chose old friends, good times, and the best rotation in baseball over an overstuffed Yankee contract. Another elite pitcher wound up in a destination no one expected and now probably feels stupid because it’s nearly a perfect fit for him.

Funny how things worked out.

I know I’m going to think twice before I convince myself where the next big free agent is going to wind up.

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Philadelphia Phillies: The “Dog Days” Are Over in Philadelphia

Consider this piece more of a memoir than anything else.  My childhood with the Phillies was always adventurous but often ugly.  The Phillies were constantly a losing team and never broke the bank to go out and sign any big-name free agents.  At the time, we knew they weren’t the New York Yankees, nor were we asking them to be.  We just wanted to know that they had a desire to someday win.

This all changed in 2003 when they signed Jim Thome and closed out the Vet.  Then, in the following off-season, they added Billy Wagner to fill the void of closer and open Citizens Bank Park.  This told the fans that the Phillies wanted to win and apparently now had the funds to do so.  

A lot has changed since those “dog days.”  Philadelphia is now the place to play and you can somewhat thank Thome for helping put Philly on the map.  During the Phillies’ period of misery while at the Vet, you’d be lucky to see 20,000 people down at the ballpark.  My father and I would venture out to the 700 level of rightfield with our $7.00 General Admission tickets.  Those days were enjoyable but also bitter and painful.  Someday though, we knew that the Phillies would turn it around. 

Well, today that period of misery is long gone.  The Phillies are now a marquee team in baseball and have made the playoffs four years running.  They sell out just about every game as tickets are nearly impossible to come by.

They now have (on paper) one of the best rotations of all time.  Cliff Lee, Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels will be a formidable foursome for the Fightin’ Phils in 2011.  

Through their minor league system, they were able to develop loads of young talent.  This is a pool that includes Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Hamels, Jimmy Rollins and Dominic Brown among others.

Those sad days weren’t that long ago, but are now in the rear-view mirror.  Misery has been turned into all positives for the Phillies.  They bumped the Yankees off of a “Cliff” and are now looking to return to the World Series in 2011.  Ruben Amaro Jr. deserves a bulk of the praise for such moves as this may be the deepest Phils team ever.

For 14 years, Philadelphia suffered without a playoff appearance.  Now, they’re aiming for a fifth straight playoff appearance and third World Series berth.  What a turnaround for a team that was in the basement for so long.  

In four seasons, they’ve doubled the payroll of this team.  During that time, look at the success that they’ve enjoyed.  

They can actually compete financially with the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.  That’s something I never thought we could say.     

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Where Does Cole Hamels Fit Into the Philadelphia Phillies’ Future?

Before the times of Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Roy Oswalt, there used to be an ace in Philadelphia that went by the name of Cole Hamels.

After the 2008 season, World Series MVP trophy and championship ring in tow, Hamels signed a three-year, $20.5 million extension with the Philadelphia Phillies that would keep him in red pinstripes through 2011.

A couple of years and three aces later, Hamels now finds himself set to begin the 2011 season as the fourth best starter on a loaded pitching staff that is expected to catapult the team into an automatic spot in the World Series.

Alright, it’s not that easy. What also won’t be easy will be re-signing Hamels to another new contract sometime soon that will keep him with the Phillies for the foreseeable future.

After the 2008 season, with Hamels set to go to arbitration, the Phillies structured a new contract that worked for both sides. The three-year deal did not touch his final year of arbitration or any of his free agent years. The deal was unique, however, in the sense that it provided Hamels with the biggest AAV (average annual value) ever on a multi-year deal for a pitcher in his first year of arbitration. 

Now the Phillies will have to work something out all over again, or take Hamels to arbitration after next season. It’s likely not something they want to have to do, but it is certainly possible. He can become a free agent after the 2012 season.

General Manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. has locked key pieces in, including Lee, Halladay, Ryan Howard, and Chase Utley, through at least 2013. Besides Hamels, Amaro will have to make crucial decisions on numerous other players.

Jimmy Rollins is slated to be a free agent after next season. Brad Lidge has a hefty club option lined up for 2012, but the Phillies could buy him out after 2011 for just $1.5 million, which seems likely. Ryan Madson, who could be in line to close in 2012, is a free agent after 2011. Raul Ibanez will also become a free agent after 2011, but that won’t be as tough a decision as the others.

There is no question the Phillies will have money to play with, but they’ll have to use it wisely. Regarding the rotation, Halladay is signed through 2013 with a club option for 2014. Lee, with his new contract, will be here through 2015, potentially 2016, if his option vests.

Oswalt will make $16 million in 2011. The Phillies hold a club option for 2012 at the same number, but can buy Oswalt out for $2 million. Right now, it would seem like a relatively safe bet that the Phillies would do such a thing, leaving Hamels as the only truly undecided member of the 2012 rotation.

Hamels will make $9.5 million in 2011, a far cry from any of the numbers Lee, Halladay, or Oswalt will rake in. It’s pretty safe to assume that had Hamels been on the open market this offseason, he could have gotten a deal very similar to Lee’s, maybe for slightly less on the dollar side.

The Phillies’ philosophy since Pat Gillick joined the organization has been to go no longer than three guaranteed years on a contract with a starting pitcher. They have, for the most part, held to that. Lee was a special case that required the Phillies to open up the checkbook for a deal longer than they might have completed in the past. It did show a bit of a change in philosophy, but it was a special occasion.

Could Hamels be another special occasion? While many players have lauded Philadelphia as a great place to play, and Hamels has embraced the area, he’s going to be looking for money. The Phillies can’t expect to be able to go short-term with Hamels.

After a disappointing 2009, Hamels rebounded nicely in 2010. It wasn’t really a surprise. He threw a lot of innings in 2008, and ran into some bad luck in 2009. It was a bad combination for him to succeed. Last year was different, as Hamels posted a 3.06 ERA. The 12-11 record can be discarded; he received some of the worst run support in the league.

The Phillies will have to decide how to fit Hamels in to the future. It’s likely that a five-year contract could be offered. Three probably won’t be enough to keep him here. There is also no way the Phillies will get close to the same AAV that they got on Hamels’ original extension.

A three-year deal for Hamels in today’s market would, conservatively, cost the Phillies somewhere around $50-52 million. If I were Ruben Amaro, I would offer Hamels a new contract sometime next season, and structure it like so:

2012: $15 million

2013: $16.5 million

2014: $17 million

2015: $17.5 million

2016: $18 million

There, of course, would be various add-ons like Cy Young finishes, All-Star appearances, and the like. But that would be the structure, and it would be fair for both sides. It’s a five-year, $84 million deal in total, without bonuses and such. Hamels would be 33 at the end of the deal.

That deal averages out to $16.8 million in AAV, which doesn’t quite put Hamels in the upper-echelon with guys such as C.C. Sabathia, Lee, and Halladay. Something like this might not even be enough to get it done, which is why the Phillies should communicate early and often with Hamels. The Phillies, realistically, should be willing to go up to about $90 million over five years with Hamels.

If talks break down, there is always the option of trading Hamels next off-season, or even in-season, for a package built around youth. That’s something that should be off in the distance, though. The Phillies need Hamels, and Hamels needs the Philllies.

All signs would point to Hamels sticking around for a long time to come. While the super-rotation may only be in action for one season, the true ace of the Phillies’ future is Hamels.

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Cliff Lee Signs with the Philadelphia Phillies: Happiness Over Money

In today’s age of professional sports, it’s not too often that you find superstar-caliber players that truly value winning championships over the biggest, most lucrative contract one can get his hands on when testing the free agent waters.

Every pro athlete in every sport claims that their No. 1 goal is to win a championship. They claim that it’s what they come to the ball park every day for, why they practice, why they play the game, however in most cases, it’s not really why they’re in the game.

It’s all about money in today’s generation.

With money taking over as the top priority of all in both sports and reality, it’s rare to find a player or the average folk who would take less money to ensure happiness for their family. Nine times out of 10, the player is going to go where the money is at.

Not Cliff Lee.

Lee turned down about $20 million from the New York Yankees to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies because he loved his short time in Philly, and felt that they gave him the best chance to win a World Series over New York and Texas.

The Yankees reportedly offered the 32-year-old lefty a seven-year, $148 million contract to play in the Bronx. New York’s contract would have guaranteed Lee $132 million. He signed a five-year, $120 million deal with the Phillies.

Another major factor in Lee signing in Philly was that’s where his family would be the most happy. The Phillies fan base embraced Lee, and he became an instant favorite when they acquired him from Cleveland at the trade deadline in 2009.

Lee was 7-4 with a 3.39 earned run average in 12 starts with three complete games for the Phils. He wrote his legacy in Philly during the postseason when he was 4-0 in five games with a 1.56 ERA. He threw 40.1 innings with two complete games.

The name Cliff Lee reached legendary status in the city of brotherly love.

For the Phillies, it’s not the first time a superstar turned down more money to come to Philadelphia. In fact, it’s the second straight winter the top prize took considerably less money to play for the Phightens.

Last offseason, Roy Halladay agreed to waive his no-trade clause to come to Philly and signed a three-year, $60 million extension. It’s a little bit of a different animal in Halladay’s case because he was acquire in a trade, but it’s still the same principal.

Halladay made a name for himself as the game’s top pitcher for more than half a decade. Had he reached free agency, he would have been heavily rewarded with a huge contract. Let’s just say, he would have made at least $60 more million than he did when he signed his extension with Philadelphia.

Doc cited that the reason he wanted to play in Philly was that he made enough money in his career, and at this point in his career, it was more important for him to have an opportunity to win a World Series.

The irony here is that Ruben Amaro Jr. traded Lee to Seattle when he acquired Halladay to replenish the farm system that lost seven players in obtaining Halladay and Lee at the deadline. It was not fully about the money.

That enraged Phillies fans even though they were getting the league’s best arm. The reason was if it wasn’t broke, why fix it?

Lee is the game’s best southpaw, no question. His dominance the last couple years proves the point, and his play in the last two playoffs makes it even stronger. When you had a chance to go into a season with Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee atop your rotation, you’re going to be the favorites.

Amaro opted not to do that because he didn’t think he could resign Lee last winter, and wanted to get more prospects lost in getting both pitchers.

In trading Lee, Amaro acquired Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cliff Lee.

Sounds like one heck of a master plan.

Visit the Broad Street Scoop for more of Tom’s coverage of the Philadelphia Flyers, Phillies, and the NHL and MLB. Follow Tom on Twitter: @Tom_Dougherty. E-mail him at: todougherty@gmail.com

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Power Ranking the Top 50 MLB Rookies Who Could Make an Impact in 2011

We’ve been looking at free-agents and trade scenarios ad nauseam for a month now. Let’s see if we can focus our attention on something else. We can do it if we try. Take a deep breath.

Now answer this question. Besides trades and free-agency, where can you find other players to help your team win? If you answered the minor league system, you win! Something? No not really. I just wanted to keep you on the edge of your seat. If you didn’t answer the minor leagues, go learn to play cricket and don’t bother me.

Ah, here come the rookies. There could be can’t-miss top prospects that make the most of their opportunity in the majors (see Jason Heyward). But there also might be young players that jump out of virtually nowhere and make a splash. Let’s take a look at 50 of them and see just what kind of impact each may have this season.

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Phast Phorward: A Look at the Philadelphia Phillies’ Projected Roster in 2014

There sure has been a lot of banter about the Philadelphia Phillies over the past week, and why not?

The Phillies made a splash in the free-agent market by netting its top prize: left-handed starter and former Phillie, Cliff Lee. While Phillies fans have basked in the glory of pairing him with Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels, and enjoying their chances for a repeat as baseball’s team with the best record, Lee and others have firmly stated that they won’t settle for finishing second-best.

Anything other than a World Series title will be a disappointment for the Phillies and their fans alike.

With high expectations from your own fanbase comes a lot of negative feedback from those teams that a signing like this will affect. It’s not the perfect situation for the Phillies. As those teams and fans have pointed out, this elite Phillies core is aging quickly.

Injuries ravaged the team in 2010, and though they hope for a healthier 2011, they certainly aren’t getting any younger. Add that to the largest payroll in the history of the franchise, and a lot of people believe that the Phillies have a limited window to be successful.

Is that the case?

There are no reinforcements on the way in the Phillies’ immediate future. The organization’s best prospects are all located in the lower levels of the minor league system. The bullpen could possibly benefit from some minor league talent like Scott Mathieson, BJ Rosenberg, Mike Zagurski, Michael Schwimmer and Justin DeFratus in the near future, but that’s about it.

An aging core, payroll that is reaching new heights, and lack of upper-level prospects have a lot of fans and foes alike calling for the end of the Phillies in the near future. These factors are somewhat misleading, as many of the Phillies’ lower-level minor league talent projects to be quality major league starters over the next few seasons.

As the Phillies’ core ages now, an influx of young talent should give the team a nice shot in the arm, and a television contract that expires in 2015 should give the Phillies all the payroll they need. According to one professional scout, the Phillies could go on a “Braves-like” streak of divisional titles.

While the Phillies enjoy their glory days now, the future is always on our minds. So with that, here is a look at Baseball America’s projected roster for the Phillies in 2014.

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MLB Rumors: Philadelphia Phillies Trades Come Full-Circle

The Philadelphia Phillies‘ Ruben Amaro Jr. is some sort of genius.  Somehow, he was able to acquire three of the game’s best pitchers within one calendar year.  These moves suddenly make his team the game’s most viable threat and already early favorites.  With a rotation that boasts Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels, the Phillies are sitting “perfectly.”

Last December, the Phillies’ gutsy GM got rid of Cliff Lee and sent him to the Seattle Mariners.  In getting unproven talent in return, many questioned this deal.  On that same day though, the Phillies would acquire the game’s top pitcher in “Doc” Halladay.  With the righty-lefty combo of Halladay and Hamels, the Phillies couldn’t have wanted anything more right?

As the season progressed, “Doc” proved to have the perfect remedy for the rest of the National League.  On May 29, 2010, Halladay was perfect against the Florida Marlins and was undoubtedly the game’s best pitcher.  

Shortly thereafter, a deal for Roy Oswalt came to fruition and the deadline deal gave the Phillies a dose of “H20.”  Oswalt’s arrival made Hamels the third wheel.  Hamels wouldn’t mind, though, and responded with a strong season of his own. 

But his statistics don’t truly tell the story of just how good Hamels was.  His 12-11 record was due in part to by poor run support.  Otherwise, he easily could’ve won 18 games or so.

The Phillies stole the division from the Atlanta Braves backed by “H20” and hastily made their way into the playoffs.  After convincingly running through the Cincinnati Reds, the Phillies would soon be stopped by the San Francisco Giants.  They tried everything in their power but were beaten by a hungrier San Fran squad that eventually won the World Series.

After a disappointing end to the season, the Phillies were quiet in the beginning of the offseason.  This worried some fans at first, but they couldn’t be naive enough to think that Amaro couldn’t have had something up his sleeve.  

The big story of the free-agency period at that time was Jayson Werth.  The Phillies quickly needed to make a decision on Werth’s future.  They did so by not responding and letting him walk to the Washington Nationals earlier this month.  To Amaro’s credit, this was a wise move and allowed the Phillies to keep a large sum of money in their wallets. 

“Quiet” isn’t necessarily a bad thing when you’re talking about RAJ.  He let Werth walk and thus freed up a ton of money, but still there was no set direction on where he was going with it.  Then, rumors of Cliff Lee came into the mix and within a matter of hours, Lee was again a Phillie.   

Lee’s wife Kristen was said to be a lot of the reason.  She didn’t want to stay in Texas, nor did she want to go to New York.  The Lees enjoyed Philadelphia, the city that was taken away from them last winter.  In a sudden change of events, the Phillies gave Lee and their fans the best Christmas gift of all.  Their re-signing of the pitcher showed that Lee’s loyalty and heart won over money.  

Although $24 million is a load of money, he turned down a nice chunk of money from New York.  That’s not only admirable on his end, but also unheard of.  Lee, now No. 33, may give the Phillies the best rotation ever.  Though this is high praise, it may be true.  The sky is the limit as the possibilities are endless for the Phillies.

Fast-forward an entire year and so much has changed.  The Phillies now not only have Lee, but also Halladay, Oswalt and Hamels.  Lee’s unselfishness is amazing.  He knows that this is his best chance to win a World Series. 

Now if the offense is able to get their act together, the Phillies could be lethal.  Many are already pre-planning a parade down South Broad St. for early November 2011.  The games still need to be played though, but as for now, the Phillies are looking like the team to beat.

Don’t break their hearts this time, RAJ.  

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Cliff Lee: Signing of Ace Makes Phillies a Formidable Foe, But Not a Lock

In a surprise twist worthy of an M. Night Shyamalan film, Cliff Lee passed on both the New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers, the two teams thought to be the finalists for his services, to pitch once again for the Philadelphia Phillies.

What a short time ago was unknown to seemingly all is now crystal clear: Lee badly wanted to be a Phillie again, since he not only took less money but less years (the more surprising item to me) than either the Yankees or Rangers were offering, to return to southeastern Pennsylvania. 

What makes this signing all the more shocking was that just one year ago, the Phils had decided to part ways with Lee precisely because they felt they wouldn’t be able to re-sign him this offseason. 

They also imported Roy Halladay at the same time, one of the few pitchers in the game with a decisively superior resume to Lee’s, and all he did was throw a perfect game and a postseason no-hitter en route to his second Cy Young.

The agonized cries of despondent Phillies fans from this past year, who were haunted with visions of what could have been—a peerless top two of Halladay and Lee fronting their rotation—just turned into joyous celebrations of those visions suddenly becoming a reality. 

Add in Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels, and the Phillies now boast arguably the deepest rotation in baseball, with the only other real contender to that crown being the team that dispatched the Fightin’ Phils this postseason on the backs of their own fearsome foursome of starters (en route to a World Series title)—the San Francisco Giants. 

They still boast a young core of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez and Madison Bumgarner.

Talking about the Giants brings up an interesting point. Despite all the allure of his dominant postseason numbers from the last two seasons, Lee still hasn’t led a team to the ultimate prize. 

He won both of his World Series starts in 2009, but his Phillies couldn’t win a game he didn’t start and they fell to the Yankees, four games to two; in 2010, he was out-pitched in both of his World Series starts by Lincecum, as the Giants toppled Lee’s Rangers, four games to one. 

Admittedly, the 2009 Phillies didn’t have Halladay, and one can argue that perhaps with Lee, the 2010 Phillies get past Lincecum’s Giants in the NLCS, but there’s another point to make here as well.

Despite this being his first foray into free agency, by the time next year’s postseason comes around, Lee will already be 33 years old and Halladay will be 34. 

How much longer will either pitcher be as dominant as they have been? 

Offensively, Jimmy Rollins’ best years seem to be behind him and the Phillies lost Jayson Werth this offseason, their most consistent offensive force in 2010. 

Meanwhile, Tim Lincecum will still only be 27 next October, as will Matt Cain. Jonathan Sanchez will be 28 and Madison Bumgarner just 22. Buster Posey, the Giants newly crowned NL Rookie of the Year, will be just 24 and they have another blue-chipper nearly ready, Brandon Belt, who’ll be just 23. 

Time, it seems, just might be on the Giants’ side.

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