Cliff Lee a Philly Once Again

Hard throwing Cliff Lee surprised the baseball and sports world Tuesday by arriving in Philadelphia to finalize a deal worth $120 million dollars guaranteed for five years with a player option 6^th year. This comes after most players, fans, and GM’s, especially Brian Cashman and Joe Daniels, expected him to sign with either the Yankees or Rangers. He returns to the Phillies after being traded away mid season despite the Phillies being in the midst of a successful season; not that going to the Rangers didn’t take him all the way to the World Series in spite of losing to the San Francisco Giants.

            Lee, 32 and this off-seasons hottest free agent, will earn a total $135 million if the contract is maxed out after the 6^th year. Lee turned down a whopping $137 million dollar 5-year deal from the Yankees and Rangers. Mets former General Manager Omar Minaya says that’s the most money he’s ever seen a player walk away from. This comes at a time when other players like Lebron James are attempting to show the world that it’s not all about the money. In other words, every now and then being in an organization an athlete feels interconnected with best is logically the best idea. Lee, a would be number in almost all other rotations, is expected to wear number 33 and pitch 3^rd in the rotation behind this years Cy Young winner Roy Halladay and Phillies World Series win mvp Cole Hamels. This deal will give the Phillies with 3 of the top 8 active pitchers in terms of winning percentage and together with Oswalt have made 13 all star appearances.

            Lee was quoted as saying this rotation could potentially be the best ever but we will just have to see how things play out. Lee returns to the Phillies after starting 12 games for them in 2009 posting a 7-4 record with an ERA of 3.39 and a whip of just 1.13. Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins was shocked but pleased by the deal finding out through a txt message from his mother which he was able to confirm through ESPN shortly after. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. got the approval from Rollins via txt message and Phillies fans getting the news was sure to bring an even more positive outlook regarding the future of the Phillies organization after locking up heaving hitting slugger Ryan Howard through 2017. The potential this rotation has is exponential and unfortunately Lee won’t be reunited with former teammate C.C. Sabathia, who’s wife and Lee’s wife are close friends, I’m sure pitching with Halladay, Hamels, and Oswalt won’t put a damper on next season. 

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