Cliff Lee Returning to Philadelphia

[Chris]

So, he left $50 million on the table to live in Philly?  Wow.  This guy is as crazy as he seems.

I don't think it was that much money, he has a vesting option that ill increase the value of the contract from what I've heard on the radio.

Don't step on my bashing of Philly!

Oh you can bash Philly even more now, since they basically traded Lee before this past season for no reason.

Remember the reason they moved him is because they weren't going to give him the years he wanted on his deal. They'd been trying to get him to a three year extension before last season started.

Well, I have no beef with the Phillies.  It is the town itself.

It was a strange move by the Phillies though.  They got some decent prospects out of it, but may have cost themselves a World Series by not having Lee last season. 

[Fafnir]

So, he left $50 million on the table to live in Philly?  Wow.  This guy is as crazy as he seems.

I don't think it was that much money, he has a vesting option that ill increase the value of the contract from what I've heard on the radio.

Don't step on my bashing of Philly!

Oh you can bash Philly even more now, since they basically traded Lee before this past season for no reason.

Remember the reason they moved him is because they weren't going to give him the years he wanted on his deal. They'd been trying to get him to a three year extension before last season started.

Well, I have no beef with the Phillies.  It is the town itself.

It was a strange move by the Phillies though.  They got some decent prospects out of it, but may have cost themselves a World Series by not having Lee last season. 

They traded away at least that much in prospects to get Roy Oswalt though. Just a weird series of decisions by the Phillies.

[wdleehi]

So, he left $50 million on the table to live in Philly?  Wow.  This guy is as crazy as he seems.

I don't think it was that much money, he has a vesting option that ill increase the value of the contract from what I've heard on the radio.

Don't step on my bashing of Philly!

Oh you can bash Philly even more now, since they basically traded Lee before this past season for no reason.

Remember the reason they moved him is because they weren't going to give him the years he wanted on his deal. They'd been trying to get him to a three year extension before last season started.

Well, I have no beef with the Phillies.  It is the town itself.

It was a strange move by the Phillies though.  They got some decent prospects out of it, but may have cost themselves a World Series by not having Lee last season. 

They traded away at least that much in prospects to get Roy Oswalt though. Just a weird series of decisions by the Phillies.

The Phillies GM made a mistake.

He realized it.


He wasn't afraid to do what he needed to fix his mistake.  (trading for Oswalt and now signing Lee)


Now, he will look at two main additions.  A right handed outfield bat and cheap relievers. 

[Chris]

So, he left $50 million on the table to live in Philly?  Wow.  This guy is as crazy as he seems.

I don't think it was that much money, he has a vesting option that ill increase the value of the contract from what I've heard on the radio.

Don't step on my bashing of Philly!

Oh you can bash Philly even more now, since they basically traded Lee before this past season for no reason.

Remember the reason they moved him is because they weren't going to give him the years he wanted on his deal. They'd been trying to get him to a three year extension before last season started.

Well, I have no beef with the Phillies.  It is the town itself.

It was a strange move by the Phillies though.  They got some decent prospects out of it, but may have cost themselves a World Series by not having Lee last season. 

They traded away at least that much in prospects to get Roy Oswalt though. Just a weird series of decisions by the Phillies.

The Phillies GM made a mistake.

He realized it.


He wasn't afraid to do what he needed to fix his mistake.  (trading for Oswalt and now signing Lee)


Now, he will look at two main additions.  A right handed outfield bat and cheap relievers. 

....or was it his plan all along. 

Trade top prospects for Halladay.

Restock farm system by trading Lee (or rent him out for a year)

Take advantage or restocked farm system to trade for Oswalt.

Sign Lee.

Brilliant!

[wdleehi]

So, he left $50 million on the table to live in Philly?  Wow.  This guy is as crazy as he seems.

I don't think it was that much money, he has a vesting option that ill increase the value of the contract from what I've heard on the radio.

Don't step on my bashing of Philly!

Oh you can bash Philly even more now, since they basically traded Lee before this past season for no reason.

Remember the reason they moved him is because they weren't going to give him the years he wanted on his deal. They'd been trying to get him to a three year extension before last season started.

Well, I have no beef with the Phillies.  It is the town itself.

It was a strange move by the Phillies though.  They got some decent prospects out of it, but may have cost themselves a World Series by not having Lee last season. 

They traded away at least that much in prospects to get Roy Oswalt though. Just a weird series of decisions by the Phillies.

The Phillies GM made a mistake.

He realized it.


He wasn't afraid to do what he needed to fix his mistake.  (trading for Oswalt and now signing Lee)


Now, he will look at two main additions.  A right handed outfield bat and cheap relievers. 

....or was it his plan all along. 

Trade top prospects for Halladay.

Restock farm system by trading Lee (or rent him out for a year)

Take advantage or restocked farm system to trade for Oswalt.

Sign Lee.

Brilliant!

If only Jason Werth wanted to stay in Philadelphia for a discount.  Hard to blame him though, this will be his only big contract. 

[scootman]

i think it was a fantastic move because hes not going to NY.

[Chris]

So, he left $50 million on the table to live in Philly?  Wow.  This guy is as crazy as he seems.

I don't think it was that much money, he has a vesting option that ill increase the value of the contract from what I've heard on the radio.

Don't step on my bashing of Philly!

Oh you can bash Philly even more now, since they basically traded Lee before this past season for no reason.

Remember the reason they moved him is because they weren't going to give him the years he wanted on his deal. They'd been trying to get him to a three year extension before last season started.

Well, I have no beef with the Phillies.  It is the town itself.

It was a strange move by the Phillies though.  They got some decent prospects out of it, but may have cost themselves a World Series by not having Lee last season. 

They traded away at least that much in prospects to get Roy Oswalt though. Just a weird series of decisions by the Phillies.

The Phillies GM made a mistake.

He realized it.


He wasn't afraid to do what he needed to fix his mistake.  (trading for Oswalt and now signing Lee)


Now, he will look at two main additions.  A right handed outfield bat and cheap relievers. 

....or was it his plan all along. 

Trade top prospects for Halladay.

Restock farm system by trading Lee (or rent him out for a year)

Take advantage or restocked farm system to trade for Oswalt.

Sign Lee.

Brilliant!

If only Jason Werth wanted to stay in Philadelphia for a discount.  Hard to blame him though, this will be his only big contract. 

I am sure they have a plan.  Maybe the Blanton trade is for JD Drew!

[wdleehi]

So, he left $50 million on the table to live in Philly?  Wow.  This guy is as crazy as he seems.

I don't think it was that much money, he has a vesting option that ill increase the value of the contract from what I've heard on the radio.

Don't step on my bashing of Philly!

Oh you can bash Philly even more now, since they basically traded Lee before this past season for no reason.

Remember the reason they moved him is because they weren't going to give him the years he wanted on his deal. They'd been trying to get him to a three year extension before last season started.

Well, I have no beef with the Phillies.  It is the town itself.

It was a strange move by the Phillies though.  They got some decent prospects out of it, but may have cost themselves a World Series by not having Lee last season. 

They traded away at least that much in prospects to get Roy Oswalt though. Just a weird series of decisions by the Phillies.

The Phillies GM made a mistake.

He realized it.


He wasn't afraid to do what he needed to fix his mistake.  (trading for Oswalt and now signing Lee)


Now, he will look at two main additions.  A right handed outfield bat and cheap relievers. 

....or was it his plan all along. 

Trade top prospects for Halladay.

Restock farm system by trading Lee (or rent him out for a year)

Take advantage or restocked farm system to trade for Oswalt.

Sign Lee.

Brilliant!

If only Jason Werth wanted to stay in Philadelphia for a discount.  Hard to blame him though, this will be his only big contract. 

I am sure they have a plan.  Maybe the Blanton trade is for JD Drew!

Thanks for the laugh.


JD Drew in a Phillies uniform.  Too funny.

[nickagneta]

I just don't get the money that teams are shelling out for good but not great pitchers. Last year Lackey's contract that the Sox gave him was ridiculous and now this Cliff Lee contract?

Lee and Lackey are good pitchers. Very good number 2 guys or great number 3 guys in a rotation but since when are very good number 2 guys or great number three guys worth upwards of $17-20 million a year?

Lee has had what, one awesome year, two good years, and a bunch of around .500 years with mediocre control. He's 32!!!!

Phillies as far as I am concerned made the same mistake the Sox made with Lackey and are going to regret it, just like the Sox are currently and will continue to do so. Lackey is the number 4 starter in the Sox rotation making $17 million per.

Next year or the ear after, the Phillies could be in the same boat, stuck with an aging pitcher with a bloated contract giving you good stuff one day and nothing the next.

[wdleehi]

I just don't get the money that teams are shelling out for good but not great pitchers. Last year Lackey's contract that the Sox gave him was ridiculous and now this Cliff Lee contract?

Lee and Lackey are good pitchers. Very good number 2 guys or great number 3 guys in a rotation but since when are very good number 2 guys or great number three guys worth upwards of $17-20 million a year?

Lee has had what, one awesome year, two good years, and a bunch of around .500 years with mediocre control. He's 32!!!!

Phillies as far as I am concerned made the same mistake the Sox made with Lackey and are going to regret it, just like the Sox are currently and will continue to do so. Lackey is the number 4 starter in the Sox rotation making $17 million per.

Next year or the ear after, the Phillies could be in the same boat, stuck with an aging pitcher with a bloated contract giving you good stuff one day and nothing the next.

Probably because Lackey doesn't have these type of numbers.

Lee's MLB ranks (in parentheses), the past three seasons:

Wins: 48 (6th)
ERA: 2.98 (7th)
WHIP: 1.12 (2nd)
K-BB: 5.64 (2nd)
IP: 667 1/3 (5th)

The highest career winning percentage among pitchers with 100 decisions:

Roy Halladay: .663
Johan Santana: .658
Tim Hudson: .655
Adam Wainwright: .654
Roy Oswalt: .644
CC Sabathia: .641
Andy Pettitte: .635
Cliff Lee: .626

Players with a sub-3.00 ERA, and 600-plus IP, past three seasons:

Roy Halladay: 2.67 (735 2/3 IP)
Felix Hernandez: 2.69 (689)
Tim Lincecum: 2.83 (664 2/3)
Cliff Lee: 2.98 (667 1/3)

Lee's postseason career totals:

W-L: 7-2
ERA: 2.13
WHIP: 0.82
K-BB: 10.00
K per 9 IP: 9.5

And a closer look at Philly-specific stuff:

Philadelphia's projected top four starters for 2011, records and ERA:

Roy Halladay: 21-10, 2.44
Cliff Lee: 12-9, 3.18
Roy Oswalt: 13-13, 2.76
Cole Hamels: 12-11, 3.06

Lee in his career vs. the NL, with AL teams, and with NL teams (in parentheses):

W-L: 15-3 (7-4)
ERA: 3.18 (3.39)
WHIP: 1.22 (1.13)

Lee in 2009 with the Phillies, in the regular season, and in the postseason (parentheses):

W-L: 7-4 (4-0)
ERA: 3.39 (1.56)
WHIP: 1.13 (0.82)
Starts: 12 (5)

The best career ERAs at Citizens Bank Park:

Jair Jurrjens: 1.87
Josh Johnson: 1.99
Roy Oswalt: 2.10
Mike Hampton: 2.21
Roy Halladay: 2.21
Cliff Lee: 2.52

http://insider.espn.go.com/mlb/blog?name=olney_buster&id=5918352

[guava_wrench]

I just don't get the money that teams are shelling out for good but not great pitchers. Last year Lackey's contract that the Sox gave him was ridiculous and now this Cliff Lee contract?

Lee and Lackey are good pitchers. Very good number 2 guys or great number 3 guys in a rotation but since when are very good number 2 guys or great number three guys worth upwards of $17-20 million a year?

Lee has had what, one awesome year, two good years, and a bunch of around .500 years with mediocre control. He's 32!!!!

Phillies as far as I am concerned made the same mistake the Sox made with Lackey and are going to regret it, just like the Sox are currently and will continue to do so. Lackey is the number 4 starter in the Sox rotation making $17 million per.

Next year or the ear after, the Phillies could be in the same boat, stuck with an aging pitcher with a bloated contract giving you good stuff one day and nothing the next.

Lee has been considerably better than Lackey.

I hope you are correct and his age becomes an issue.

[JSD]

Great news for Sox fans

[wdleehi]

I hear the Yankees might be interested in Blanton now.   

[Cman]

Q: What do the Yankees do now?  Pavano? Brad Penny??

Probably go after Greinke.

They're going to have to beat Texas to it, though.

[Bahku]

Just saw an interview of Lee talking about how it's all about winning, not the money ... give me a break! (Five years, $120 million!)