The pitching-rich Phillies just added another ace in lefthander, Cliff Lee. Philadelphia landed Lee Monday night after weeks of speculation. The free agent All-Star agreed to return to the Phillies for $120 million over five years. Lee’s choice surprised many around baseball, including the teams who courted him throughout the past few months. The Yankees and Rangers lost out on signing the southpaw, despite heftier contract offers. Jon Daniels and Brian Cashman couldn’t snag the pitcher, who chose comfort over dollars. Now the NL East champions have an added boost in an already stellar starting rotation for 2011. The addition of Lee gives the city the greatest quartet since Boyz II Men: Lee, Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt.
The Phillies traded Lee approximately a year ago. The free agent pitcher went to Seattle before being traded to Texas. Lee helped propel the upstart Rangers to the World Series after a spectacular division series against the Yankees. Lee suffered two difficult losses to the Giants in the Fall Classic, but his post-season dominance is proven. He was the best free agent pitcher on the market. The Rangers and Yankees went head-to-head in hopes of acquiring the lefty for next season, but it was Lee’s former club who signed the hurler. New York offered a seven year deal in excess of $160 million, while Lee’s current team offered a six year guarantee for an undetermined amount. The 32 year old signed a lucrative deal with the Phillies after the team came close to matching Lee’s other offers. Lee spurned those offers and now the Phillies have four bona fide aces. The agreement is the third biggest ever for a pitcher, and Lee is all too pleased to return to the City of Brotherly Love.
Parting Points: The Big Ten announced their new division names: Legends and Leaders.
Brett Favre’s streak is over.
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