Cliff Lee: Why Phillies Must Allow the LA Dodgers to Claim Star Pitcher

Cliff Lee has been claimed by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and now the Phillies must allow their star lefty to walk for the sake of financial flexibility.  

According to a report from CBS, the Dodgers claimed Lee off of Waivers on Saturday. However, according to Jayson Stark, Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. says “he isn’t going anywhere.”

This may sound good to Phillies fans, but it’s terrible for the long term.

A Lee trade would’ve allowed Philadelphia to shed the $95 million remaining on his contract, while also restocking the farm system.

Even if the Dodgers declined to trade for the lefty, just letting him go would’ve allowed the team some much needed financial flexibility—the Phillies have the second highest payroll in MLB.

With the recent re-signing of Cole Hamels, Philadelphia now has four players making over $20 million a season—an outrageous total considering that the Phillies sit 13.5 games behind the first-place Nationals in the NL East.

The Phillies started to reload at the deadline when they dealt the expiring contracts of Shane Victorino and Hunter Pence, and it would be in their best interest to continue the firesale.

They are in no position to contend this season, and considering the way their aging high-dollar players are playing on the offensive side of the ball, it’s not likely to get better any time soon.

It may not be the most attractive option, but the Phillies must start to rework their roster to encourage flexibility.

They can’t continue to spend $200 million a year and finish in last place. It’s just not a good business model.

Letting go of a player of Lee’s caliber is tough, but it’s the right move for next season and beyond.  

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com

Phillies Trade Rumors: Latest on Jimmy Rollins, Cole Hamels and the ‘Phils

The MLB Trade Deadline is in a mere eight days, and rumors are swirling around Philadelphia stars Jimmy Rollins and Cole Hamels, among others.

The Phillies sit in the cellar of the NL East and sit 10.5 games back of the first place Washington Nationals.

Their five-year postseason streak looks to be coming to an end, and with the second highest payroll in baseball, the Phillies could be sellers at the deadline.

Scouts are streaming into Citizens Bank Park to scout the team’s top talent, as potential contenders around the league are looking for the missing piece to add their roster.

Some of the Phillies’ cornerstones are being tossed around into the hot stove. So, let’s take a look at the latest trade rumors for the ‘Phils.

Begin Slideshow

MLB Trade Deadline: Why the Philadelphia Phillies Should Trade Cole Hamels

The Philadelphia Phillies are in last place in the NL East and aren’t likely to re-sign Cole Hamels this offseason. So, why not trade him at the deadline?

Hamels has been an integral piece in the Phillies’ success over the past few seasons, and was the breakout star of their World Series run in 2008.

But Hamels will be seeking a huge contract this offseason, on par with or greater than the seven figure deals of his teammates Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay.

The Phillies already sport the second-highest payroll in the MLB at $174 million for 2012, and will not be able to add another $20 million to the books in 2013 for Hamels. So why not just deal him at the deadline and get some top flight prospects in return?

Here are four reasons why dealing Hamels at the trade deadline is the best move Philadelphia in the long run.

Begin Slideshow