Phillies making late push for Lee
ByAs the mystery over the mystery team involved in the mysterious Cliff Lee sweepstakes boiled all day, we heard low-level rumors that the Phillies might be involved in the negotiations. This evening, Ken Rosenthal’s sources confirm that the Phillies are indeed involved in the bidding for Lee. Rosenthal’s source did say it would take “nothing short of a miracle” for the team to fit Lee into their budget, but the club is “not out” of it yet.
It’s tough to say what’s going on here. The Phillies could be showing legitimate interest as they have contracts coming off the books, but the club isn’t going to match the seven years the Yankees have reportedly put on the table. This might be a move by Lee’s agent Darek Braunecker to push up the Yanks’ offer by $5-$10 million or it could be the Phillies’ salivating over a rotation of Halladay-Lee-Hamels-Oswalt in 2011. Either way, it appears as though this saga will last at least another night.
Update (9:26 p.m.): Jerry Crasnick has more on the Phillies, who, he says, jumped into the hunt “with fervor” after the Winter Meetings. The ESPN scribe’s sources say that Lee is close to a decision. It will all be over soon.
Update (9:51 p.m.): The YES Network’s own Jack Curry has jumped into the fray. He tweets that “there is a belief” that Lee will wind up with the Phillies. But here’s the rub: Lee will have to accept far fewer dollars and perhaps a shorter contract to sign with the Phillies. It’s all happening now.
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It’s worth pointing out that when Rosenthal proposed a Lee/Halladay three-team deal last winter, we mocked it, and then it came true. I wouldn’t be surprised either way if Lee ended up in Philadelphia, but I still think they’re a long shot.
This negotiation has taken so many turns I wouldn’t be surprised at much of anything.
Cliff Lee to the Astros
I recall last year the Yankees were interested in Cliff Lee and the Phillies wouldn’t take the deal, they even offered Arodys Vizcaino and more but Philly said no.
I think that was from a PR standpoint — can you imagine trading your best pitcher to the team that beat you in the World Series?
Of course, the 2010 Padres had a better record (and Pythagorean record) than the 2010 Red Sox.
95% negotiating ploy, 5% actual Phillies interest. Lee’s agent is playing the Yankees beautifully.
playing them into…not upping their offer any further?
If you believe that “we won’t up our offer” to actually mean “we won’t up our offer ever no matter what” I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.
It’s a game of chicken. I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Yankees blink first.
Lee is going to get 7/175 from us and I will weep in years 6 and 7 of that deal.
You can take comfort in 36 year old Carl Crawford putting up Ramiro Pena numbers!
I highly doubt that…players with his skill set tend to age surprisingly well. I can see him having a Kenny Lofton type career.
Players with speed and low OBP?
For comparison’s sake, Lofton had a .381 OBP through age 28. Crawford is at .337.
In fairness, he is at .350 for the past five seasons, including a lousy 2008.
.381 >>> .350
Lofton’s lowest OBP in his first 9 full seasons was .362. Crawfords best OBP is .364.
All of the reasonable comps for players with Crawfords skill set tend to have high OBP. I’d be worried that in 3-4 years Crawford won’t get on base enough to use his speed.
Oh, I agree, I was just saying that point out Crawford’s .337 career OBP is a bit misleading. That’s weighed down by his lousy earlier years and he’s put up .350 long enough to be reasonably confident that he can continue to do that. At least for a few more years.
Sure, Lee could have a Maddux career and Crawford could age well too. They’re just both unlikely.
ARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I’m not entirely sure I believe this but Ruben Amaro Jr. is crazy so I never know what to expect from that guy. Also, it might just be his agent trying to float teams, knowing Lee is close to deciding, trying to get a team actually in the mix to up their offer.
But, like I said – if, after all this insanity, Cliff Lee ends up going back to Philadelphia after all, I will just never stop laughing.
Scary for fans of Yankees, Rangers for Phillies to come so late – and w/ knowledge of cost of seat at table.
Nightmare Scenario for Yankees? Lee to Phils, followed by Sabathia after opt-out at end of next season.
I’m pretty confident that Sabathia won’t leave New York even if he does opt out, especially if they miss out on Lee. No one will give him more money than the Yanks.
“No one will give him more money than the Yanks.”
True, but I heard he’ll only sign with a west coast team.
well played…
no way philly can spend 75MM on three starters
CAN THIS BE OVER ALREADY?
Oh man. If Cliff Lee goes to the Phillies… well… at this point, I’m just apathetic about this whole situation.
Halladay-Lee-Hamels-Oswalt would be the best rotation in history. Discuss.
Would have to give it more thought than being at work allows.
http://www.baseball-reference......h=1997+ATL
Scroll down to Team Pitching. That’s the benchmark Halladay-Lee-Hamels-Oswalt will have to beat.
97 Braves = 1970 Orioles < 1971 Orioles
http://www.baseball-reference......h=1971+BAL
All I have to say is DENNY FUCKING NEAGLE!
On another note I could see a Philly staff with Lee, stacking favorably to the ’97 Braves staff. Or The Phillies could get Lee then trade him mid-season for Roy Halladay….
[Insert sarcasm]
I mentioned this on the last thread, but it’s more appropriate here. The 1997 Braves were really, really, really good at pitching.
Fun 1997 Braves rotation facts:
Smoltz, Maddux, Glavine, and Neagle made 135 starts in 1997 and threw 962 innings (7.13 innings per start). They had a 2.80 ERA, 1.087 WHIP, 6.94 K/9, 1.97 BB/9, and 3.52 K/BB. They accumulated 20.9 bWAR and 24.3 fWAR.
All in the steroid era no doubt whih makes it more incredible.
Maybe they were on steroids?
Seeing as the rotation was low in velocity and had great control I don’t think they were.
Barry Zito aside… I think we’ll be looking at the 2010 Giants in the future and say the same thing.
That entire rotation had a 3.23 FIP in 962 innings (and FIP has never liked Tom Glavine). That’s decently better than anything Cain or Sanchez has ever done, and barely missed out on being better than 2010 Lincecum (who had a 3.15 FIP).
Would the players union allow him to leave potentially 61 million on the table?
This is a crazier idea than Lee going back to the Phillies.
I think Cleveland is also interested. They’d be willing to go as high as 6 years/ $60 million! What they lack in money they make up for with nostalgia and personality.
If Lee does resign with Philly, I will drop my flags, burn my hat, and move to Philadelphia.
/half serious
What Brian Cashman needs to do is put in a deadline and make it happen soon. If we just wait around there is the chance that another team can clear payroll to make the room for Lee.
If there is a threat that Lee would loose the offer if he waits he may decide to take it with the idea that he put in a much worse position financially without the Yanks high offer.
Right now Lee has all the advantage in the waiting game. I think we should take that away.
As I said in one of the threads last night, there’s absolutely no need to put a deadline on it. It’s not holding up any other plans, and Spring Training isn’t tomorrow. Only for the impatient fans does a deadline make any sense.
I’m not arguing a deadline for the sake of holding us up. It is to not allow for other teams to get in. For example the Phils try to move Ibanez/Blanton it allows them clear payroll that they may need.
It takes away Lee’s leverage to find a better offer.
That’s simply shooting yourself in the foot.
Letting other teams get involved could be viewed the same way. Put a consequence to not signing and we may grab him before another team has the chance to.
I said this yesterday and while people made many good points to the contrary, I still feel putting a little pressure on wouldn’t hurt. Say your discussing a trade for a pitcher, and need to know.
How is another team going to clear payroll?
Trade.
Wouldn’t the team that’s taking on payroll just sign Lee instead?
Hypothetically, a team may have 11 mil for Ibanez and not have the 23 or pitching need. That 11 mil might be enough to make the difference for the Phils or another team.
I guess that’s possible, but it seems unlikely to me. Most teams are not so financially constrained that a short term commitment will block a long term deal. This isn’t like the NFL or NBA where there is a salary cap that they would need to get under.
I remember that when Plaxico Burress signed with the Giants, the Giants had publicly announced on their website that they were no longer negotiating with him. Then about 3 days later he signed.
It was weird and yet…it worked?
Something tells me that wouldn’t work here.
Wow. That would be one deadly rotation. Holy mackerel.
can someone tell me who incarcerated bob is? The guy made a pretty bold statement today about Lee…
He is a caller on the FAN who supposedly served jail time for assault after the Giants won the Super Bowl. As far as I’m concerned, he has as much credibility as the guy at the newsstand down the block.
lol gotcha.
A dude who is not at all accurate when it comes to baseball news. He’s claimed Tex was getting suspended for PED use, Girardi was going to the Cubs, he’s claimed Lee’s deal with both NYY & TEX was done… yeahhh.
Greinke to Toronto is 85% done!
Just to add, he is yet another talk-show caller who believes he is somehow important because Craig Carton talks to him.
8/200! Get it done Cash!
No. Wait. 9/235.
Yahahahaha!!!
/losingit’d
I like how in the radio show today: “This was probably our last Cliff Lee post until he makes a decision” haha. March 31st he will sign with the LI Ducks
I don’t know whether seeing Cliff Lee in a Rangers uniform or a Phillies uniform would pain me more next year.
Gold Jacket…Green Jacket…who gives a shit?
Wait. He’s gonna win the Masters, too?
Didn’t Heyman comment earlier that the “mystery team” had a significantly smaller offer and was a place that Lee loved?
Also, didn’t Amaro trade Lee because Lee wouldn’t take a discount to stay in Philly?
Your insipid facts are ruining this wonderful narrative.
Philadelphia may be a mystery team, but I’m not too worried.
The other team that crossed my mind today was Seattle. They traded Lee, but never made any comments about his unwillingness (or their inability) to sign him to a long term deal. They also have relatively deep pockets. Get the prospects and the player? Not a bad deal..
Why would Cliff Lee sign there, he cares about winning to and Yanks have best combination of money and winning.
From what I remembered, Amaro made Lee an extension similar to Halladay but Lee wanted to negotiate a longer contract. Amaro didn’t negotiate anything and just traded him away. I think he liked playing in Philly but was turned off by Amaro being such an asshole to him.
I would like to have this over. Don’t give him a deadline, I just want it over.
No. They can’t have him. MINE! I mean, he should come to the Yankees.
A topic no one wants to think about, but in the unfortunate event the Yankees miss out on Lee it would benefit them more if he went to the NL.
From a Yankees perspective, this Cliff Lee negotiation has been just like Scott Pilgram v. World. In order for the Yankees to sign Lee they’re gonna have to destroy his 4 evil ex-teams.
well said good sir. well said.
lol IETC
too much truth to this statement.
So the next mystery team is the Mariners?
NEW CHALLENGER!
Phillies looking for takers on Blanton.
http://twitter.com/SI_JonHeyma.....9865428992
They will need to act fast to do that, but I really don’t see any team willing to take on the money… maybe the Nationals would be a fit.
If you were in Mike Rizzo’s shoes, why would you take Joe Blanton if you knew it was so that the Phillies could sign Cliff Lee? Doesn’t make sense.
Forgot they were in the same division…. but if they weren’t, and the Nats were out on Lee, it would make sense.
My bad.
It would probably come from someone in the same division as the Yankees or Rangers. Maybe the Angels, though Reagins is a lot smarter than that. Maybe the A’s or the Orioles?
good point…no one will help him get cliff lee when you put it that way…well, omar isnt a gm anymore and blanton isnt a no obp 1b/dh so kc is out….
I ripped on Jeter on his negotiations but comapred to Cliff lee he really does look like a saint.
This negotiation is not going to finish this week is it?
I still say it will be 7 / 175.
I’m going with 8/240. Not increasing offer = make the biggest offer in history look puny.
/semi serious’d
It’s pretty eye opening how many people here would seemingly pay almost any price to put this overrated joker in Pinstripes.
Overrated joker? I’m not willing to pay any price, and I don’t love the deal that’s on the table (7/160). But calling him an overrated joke? Come on.
Overpaid Roleplayer.
If the Phillies aren’t really in, this has to be good news for the Yankees. If it’s just a ploy to get an extra $5-10 million, I’d say they are trying to get it from the Yankees (whom they know have money) and the Rangers, who’s last offer is likely their best.
I seriously think that last trip to see Lee was the Rangers final offer. I think they were planing on closing the deal then and were totally caught off guard and released their best offer outside of the final stage of negotiation. Why else would they make that trip when they did and bring along so many local reporters? It was one of the more public parts of the negotiation so far, and when it was over Nolan Ryan was very disappointed. That to me sounds like the Rangers made their final offer to him thinking he’d accept because he loves Texas, but he didn’t accept it. WTF is so great about Texas? Its my least favorite state.
Because it was the oil guys backing the Rangers and not Ryan, my assumption of that was it was an attempt to convey that the Rangers would be retaining their superstars and adding more during Lee’s tenure if he signs. Basically addressing the issue of competitiveness beyond 2011.
Unless is Philly is offering 23 per there is no way he will squeeze anything out of the Yankees.
the longer these negotiations get drawn out, the more likely it seems that like lee wont sign with the yanks.
I don’t get that logic. Why doesn’t that go for the Rangers?
To me it seems like the longer he takes, the more money he’s trying to squeeze out of his potential employer via new suitors and more bids. More money always favors the Yankees.
The guys gotta feed his kids ya know.
/Sprewell’d
The longer these negotiations get drawn out, the more likely it seems that Lee will retire. He’s clearly not enamored by any of his suitors.
If Lee was going to take less $$ in Philadelphia, wouldn’t he have made that known before they traded him?
If I recall correctly, they never gave him the chance to
He ain’t going to Philly for 40 mil less than the Yankees. This is just another attempt to milk more money out of the Yankees or Rangers.
If I were the Rangers or Yankees, there is no way I increase my offer.
Rangers reasoning for thinking Lee would sign with them over the Yankees (distance from AK, state tax, etc) would still apply to the Phillies.
Yankees have the best offer on the table, so if Lee is going to sign anywhere else, its with the Rangers, and not with the Phillies who are paying less and have the same “issues” as the Yankees.
What exactly are the Phillies offering Lee if that organization can’t go 7 years and $23 million per? Its about the years and money. It always is. Cashman tops all others on these two factors. Cashman can also promise Lee that his contract won’t hinder the organization from improving. The pieces are still in place to pull off a major trade, and that’s something the Phils don’t have.
Lee has no choice but to sign with the Yankees.
Greg Maddux.
That was 5 million, if he goes to the Phillies it is looking to be 40-60.
Maddux never wanted to play for the Yankees. I don’t get that impression from Lee.
Cut a million off every year…let Lee know we just committed the money somewhere else.
How does that help?
Reverse psychology?
I believe that’s called, “The Johnny Damon Maneuver.”
If Cliff Lee goes to the Rangers or the Phillies, I hope that sometime within the next year I shall be feasting on a great big helping of Schadenfreude with extra Schaden on the side.
Really, I mean I try to be compassionate and I should take some happiness in Lee’s getting the best deal for himself with another team, but . . . I won’t.
I understand that its about the money 99% of the time. I also understand that Lee has only been in Philly, Seattle, and TX for half a season. But I think it is possible he may be willing to take less money to be in a city he knows he is happy in and still be set for life. Personally, I don’t think I could spend the difference between 5/100 and 7/160. 20M per year is enough so I think at that point, I would just go where I think I would be happiest for the next 5-7 yrs.
Nolan Ryan?
I’m sure Lee appreciates your opinion, but he’ll be taking his extra $60 million and playing with his best friend CC.
It’s inconceivable that a pitcher who will be 33 next year would sacrifice $40-60 million and 2-3 guaranteed years. I hear what you’re saying, but it just doesn’t happen.
If the Iraqi Goat Freedom Fighters offered me 7/160 and the Yankees offered me 5/100, I am doing two things.
One, stocking up on sunscreen and two, taking camel riding lessons. No way is anyone turning down an additional 60 million.
Haha. The levity and truthiness of this comment makes this comment of the night.
Well done.
i really really doubt this. didn’t lee get upset when the phillies traded him?
@BobKlap
#Yankees are especially worried about #Phillies’ pursuit of Lee. They’re worried, period: Lee still hasn’t said yes to most $ and years
What more does he want?
His own deer preserve?
Old Hoss reported that already.
http://twitter.com/OldHossRadb.....8528367616
A personal whore ranch?
Hmmmmmmm, A Personal Whore Ranch
smiles as he thinks of a perfect world
His agent wants to see if he can scare the Yanks into paying more.
People really need to think about this rationally for a sec. Waiting has absolutely no downside for Lee and his agent. Why on earth would they NOT make the Yanks sweat? The possible outcomes are that the Yanks hold firm to their offer or increase their offer. They’re not going anywhere. At all.
More money?
Prima nocta rights in no fewer than three suburban towns of his choosing.
This guy (http://twitter.com/JSalisburyCSN) was in such a hurry to post this he had errors all over it: Well placed source says Lee deciision is close and Philsi are finalist w Yanks and Rangers.
I am really sick of this whole narrative. I’m not even sure if I want the Yanks to sign him, yet I am hanging on to every worthless twitter post!
Can this guy fucking pick a team already? Honestly I’d love for him to be a Yankee, but the fact is if he doesn’t want to it’s his loss.. In years 6-7 of his contract when other teams have too much money tied up because of him and the Yankees are still spending and contenders each year I’ll laugh at him. I’d love for him to come to New York but he’s already made us wait long enough to miss out on other players (Werth, Crawford) not that we would of necessarily landed them.
Highly unlikely #Yankees increase offer to Lee. Execs starting to think if Lee wanted to be in NY he would’ve accepted today.
LET’S GO GIANTS!
So let me get this straight:
-Lee loved playing for Philly in a short amount of time
-Lee was excited when Yanks nearly traded for him
-Lee loved playing for Texas in a short amount of time
Jesus this guy…
Someone should subtract Philly from the equation. They’re just being a nuisance.
It might be good to keep in mind that a lot of this narrative is constructed by the media and those involved in the negotiations.
This. I was thinking the same thing, except that it’s the media, not Lee putting this information out there.
Let’s see…
After playing and being demoted in Cleveland he was happy to play for two solid teams (with another joke of a team in between) and was excited that the best team wanted him so badly they were gonna trade a #1 prospect for three months rental?
If he doesn’t arrive until Christmas Eve we’ll all be alright…if he doesn’t arrive at all, well that will suck short-term, but maybe better overall.
Lee doesn’t want to come here. I’m sorry but this entire thing is a big joke
How long did CC sit on the Yanks offer? 2 weeks? 3 weeks?
Who was a legit option for CC other than the Yankees? Who else gave him an offer that’s on par with AAV and years?
Next offer was like the Brewers at like 5/100.
Angels supposively offered 140m. Because Yankees did go from 140m to 160m just because the Brewers offered 100m.
Yankees didn’t go*
CC’s deal was done at the Winter Meetings. The “courtship” began at 12:01 am on the first day that FA’s could solicit offers (which, I believe, began at a later date than it did this year b/c of timeline changes). So, this has gone on longer.
At the end of the day, what does it matter?
It doesn’t. At all. I was clarifying in response to a quesiton. See below.
Ok, so it’s an extra week or whatever and that proves Lee doesn’t want to come here? I’m more sick of the narratives people make up based on assumption than Leen ot signing.
Ummm, that’s not what I’m saying at all. I was responding to the question, “How long did CC sit on the offer?” and clarifying the difference. Using CC’s deal is, in fact, not a good comparison, that’s all. I don’t think it has one bit of relatabilty to Lee’s situation, nor do I think the time he’s taking is indicative of anything.
Let’s review the “facts”…
1) His prior four teams along with the other 26 want him to pitch for them.
2) He has spent little time with his most recent three teams.
3) He has not been extended with any of the teams he has pitched for.
Logic…
1) It is hard to fall in love in three different half-seasons.
2) When your not in love, you don’t do silly things (except when drinking).
3) His agent, the player’s union, and his heirs would slap him silly for leaving 20+M$ on the table.
4) He has been underpaid for his whole career, why continue that trend in life.
5) Most athletes, businessmen, and educated men take the best offer.
7/160 or 7/175 he will be a Yankee, anything less would be uncivilized.
Pretty sure all that time in the AMAZING lands of texas just make logic go out the window.
/clawandantler’d
Don’t forget…
Lee is a hunter, he likes to shoot claws and antlers.
Braunecker is finishing this off with a big flourish. This guy is good.
I guess the Phillies fans did good things in Mrs. Lee’s heart.
I heard this two weeks ago.
It would be totally gansta for the Phillies to get him.
What happened to the good ole days when the players union would pressure a player to take the most money ? You never hear that anymore
Meh, Phillies will just go the way of the Nationals. This narrative is just getting the beat writers more page views.
Lee’s agent is like a evil genius, he is manipulating the situation very well, he knows Yanks are desperate, such an evil genius, very smart man right there. I still think Lee sign if he takes Rangers 6 year offer, he wont get 23 million on the open market, but if he takes Yankees he will make 20 million plus, so I think he is justing trying to get every last cent out of Yanks, Derek Braunecker is a EVIL GENIUS.
Prediction: Yanks cave in up offer to 7 yrs for 168 { avg 24 million per}.
EVIL GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe I’m being cynical, but is there a point where this stops being about “the offers” and starts being about the attention?
Absolutely, and its making me start to not give a fuck.
Im just getting sick of this. First he would choose a team during the Winter Meetings. Then by the end of the weekend. Now its sometime early this week meaning today(now tonight) or tomorrow. Now instead of just the Yankees and Rangers in the bidding, its the Yankees, Phillies and Rangers. This is just getting annoying. The offers on the table from the Yankees are more than enough. If he doesnt take the 7/161 from the Yankees, which is his best offer in all likelihood, thats just ridiculously stupid on his part.
Is anyone else getting the reverse psychology action now?
I am beginning to feel like I want Lee to sign with the Phillies. I wanted Lee so badly all season/offseason. Now I want to wish him well but see him in a different jersey? I think I’ve lost it.
As long as it pisses off Nolan Ryan, I’d be fine with that at this point.
If Lee goes to the Phillies he will leave up to 60 million on the table. No sane person does that. I think the Yankees will go to 7 / 175.
The negotiations are close meaning he’ll sign in a month.
Should this “deal” go sour, I’d just like to say, before the lunatics here, there, and everywhere take over: Losing Cliff Lee will NOT, in any way, be Brian Cashman’s fault.
But he disrespected Jeter?
Maybe the Yankees leaked the offer of 7/161M$ to pressure him in taking it because they felt they were behind in the choice. Thinking he would look like a fool if he passed it up.
or god forbid,
That isn’t the Yankees offer, their real offer is 7/175M$ and that gives them cushion when those Ranger’s try and go in under to get a slight discount (6/140) or the better (not true) offer (6/155).
I remember Lee saying that he enjoyed watching the Phillies get knocked out of the playoffs, saying something like “That’s the team that dealt me.”
Apparently now that they’re willing to open the checkbook he’s willing to let that slide.
Seriously, what indication has this guy ever given that he’s about anything more than the money? Highest bidder wins, methinks.
Lee moved closer to a decision tonight, according to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick. The Phillies entered the bidding for Lee after the winter meetings and have presented the lefty with “a spirited late bid,” Crasnick writes.
Fucking lunacy, I tell you…
So he’ll ditch his lifelong buddy CC? Or is that a media creation too?
“jimbaumbach: A friend of Cliff Lee said Lee once told him that he really wanted to team up with Halladay in Philly.”
OK, media, fuck you. I’m outta here.
It took you that long?
hahaha, that was my breaking point … for now.
Part of me thinks that this waiting is to just get the last dollar, most likely from the phillies and not the yankees. The yankees know they have the highest offer so there is no reason to budge so lee just wants to get more out of the phillies who might yet increase their offer to seal up what will be the NL for the next two years.
I predict a decision by 11:00 AM on Tuesday (tomorrow), but I’m 0-2 at this point on guessing when he will sign, so it could be next month with the way things are going.
You might be right but information is coming out pretty quick tonight. I am starting to get the feeling theres gonna be an answer SOON. Incarcerated Bob should make a prediction now, he’s got a 1/3rd chance.
I predict Lee will sign tomorrow…with the Knicks!
I betcha Lee couldn’t decide which girl to ask to the Senior Prom, either. Christ, man, make a decision.
How much $ did Hallady piss away with signing that extension in Philly?
err, Halladay
He could have made more for sure.
JackCurry: “Wonder what has taken Cliff Lee so long? There is a belief he is heading to the Phillies”\
wow Jack, L O L
Lee wants to play with Halladay?
Ok Yankees trade Montero and Hughes for Halladay, sign Lee, then go after Greinke to replace Hughes. Case closed.
There is a belief Lee is heading to the Phillies, according to Jack Curry of the YES Network (on Twitter).
THIS IS FROM YES…
He also said that all this time is making him think he’ll sign with Texas. I think he’s just a pessimist. (assuming he’s a Yankees fan)
A “spirited” offer that even comes “with fervor”?! How could Lee pass on the Phillies’ offer NOW?
So, apparently, using a thesaurus, finding a nifty new adjective and noun by which to characterize an offer that nobody knows any details about, equals legitimate reporting?
7 Years is too long. He almost definitely won’t be a $25M pitcher in at least the last 2 years of the contract. You have to believe that if the Yanks weren’t so desperate for a pitcher they would be offering 7 years. If they had traded for Halladay or Oswalt they’d be in much better shape. They wouldn’t be in a position were they have to give a contract they know will be a major liability at some point. The fact they didn’t make a move on Halladay or Oswalt and instead were busy getting Vazquez bothers me.
I want Lee to come but I feel the Yanks didn’t play their cards well here.
Oswalt has a full no trade and has publicly stated his distaste for pitching in New York. Ricciardi was quoted as saying that the Yankees (or Red Sox for that matter) would have to come up with a significantly better package than the Phillies in order for Roy to be traded in the division. I don’t see your rationale in stating that the Yankees did not play there cards well when in reality they had no cards to play. What do you propose that they should have done to obtain either of these pitchers?
Why would Lee go back to the team that spurned him in the first place? They thought he was too expensive to extend (then they sign Halladay and Blanton to fat deals) and shipped him off to the second shittiest team in baseball. If he’s leaving a significant number of years and dollars to go to Philly, the MLBPA should go apeshit.
Yup, yup, and yup.
Lee will be a Yankee. They offered the most years most money. If Lee would have wanted to stay with the Rangers it would be over by now. The Phillies won’t be able to come close enough.
This time tomorrow Lee will be a Yankee. I’m actually starting to warm up to the idea, even though I still think he’ll be overpaid for too long, but that’s the Yanks MO for getting what they want. Then hopefully Martin signs and we get some help from the pen with a Pettitte Return
CC
Lee
AJ
Pettitte
Hughes
Is a pretty good starting 5 with Mitre and Nova as extras and some AAA auditions here and there.
I still say bring back Aceves as well.
I just don’t know what to think anymore. Wake me up when this is over.
Don’t balk at it Cash-$. Do not up the offer.
I’m really starting to dislike the Cliff Lee fellow.
I mean, if it’s not gonna be us, it might as well be the Phillies, that way we don’t have to see him during the regular season.
What a way to ruin my night.
I’m baffled (yes, baffled) if Lee leaves as much money as suspected to go back to Philly.
Something doesn’t make sense here, at all.
I blame the Mariners for bitching out of the July deal.
GOD DAMNIT!
DAMMMMMNNNIT!
At least the Yankees get to keep a first round draft pick…
damnit.
Midphase sucks and so does Cliff Lee.
Joba.
That is all.
Agree.
please stop before you hurt yourself
+62
Blessing in disguise. This is how you luck out sometimes. I am absolutely relieved. 7 years for a soon to be 33 year old would have been stupid.
No, I dont have a plan B. But plan A was stupid.
Phillies Agree To Sign Cliff Lee
By Ben Nicholson-Smith [December 13 at 10:54pm CST]
The wait is over. Cliff Lee has agreed to sign with the Phillies, according to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan. The deal is worth about $100MM over five years, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter).
After months of rumors that suggested he’d sign with the highest bidder, Lee turned down tens of millions in guaranteed money to sign in Philadelphia. ESPN.com’s Buster Olney hears the Yankees offered a deal that guaranteed Lee $138MM over six years, plus a $16MM player option for a seventh year (Twitter link).
Like Roy Halladay, who signed an extension that delayed his free agency, Lee opted to play for the Phillies instead of looking for the biggest contract possible. Almost exactly a year after they traded Lee for Halladay, he’s back in Philadelphia, where the two Cy Young Award winners, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels should give the Phillies a historically good rotation.
The Rangers get the Phillies’ 33rd overall pick, plus a supplementary first round selection in next year’s draft, but they lose out on their primary offseason target. Though the Rangers have been linked to Zack Greinke and other possible trade targets, this is undeniably a blow for the team, which is in the midst of its first offseason under new ownership.
why would you want to go back to a place that traded you away because they felt they could get a better pitcher than you????
What the fuck
The shock heard round the world.