It looks like the Phillies are going to have quite the rotation when spring rolls around.
According to MLB.com’s T.R Sullivan, left-handed pitcher Cliff Lee is set to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies.
YES reporter Jack Curry reiterated the news, reporting that the Yankees have been told by Lee’s representatives that he plans to sign elsewhere, and that appears to be Philadelphia. Curry also reports that the Yankees offered Lee a seven-year deal worth $150 million. It appears that Lee’s deal with the Phillies will be for significantly less.
Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman reported later in the evening that the Phillies offered Lee $115 million over five years, in addition to a ‘sixth year vesting option with makeable incentives.’
The Yankees and Rangers seemed to be the runaway favorites to land Lee, but the Phillies’ late offer may have been what Lee was looking for the whole time.
The 2008 AL Cy Young winner pitched just under 80 innings for the Phillies in the 2009 regular season after being traded from the Indians. He then led the Phillies to the 2009 World Series where the Phils fell to the Yankees.
Lee joins a stacked pitching rotation that already includes Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels.
