ESPN reported he's signed with the Phillies for 5 years/$120,000,000. I don't know how he be able to live on that!
Yep that's a bummer as a Yankees fan. Wonder why he wouldn't take the 7 years and guaranteed 50 mil more. Maybe one of those rare players that realized 120 mil should be ok to live on and wants to play where he's comfortable. The Yanks are in some deep do do. I'm not even sure they are a playoff team as they stand right now.
Are the Phillies becoming the national league mini version of the Yankees? I like Lee, or any very good pitcher in the national league. The stats show it is easier to dominate in that league, than the american. By far my favorite thing to watch in baseball is a dominating performance by a pitcher.
I've been thinking about the Phillies starting rotation and all I can come up with is........WOW! Are they even beatable in the playoffs?
I believe the Yanks have lost their luster as being the team to play for. I'm 100% thrilled that he didn't sell out and put on the pinstripes. Good stuff! On another note, I'm a little pissed he left the Rangers. I live 5 min from the stadium and was hoping to be able to see him pitch this year.
I agree. A lot of other options out there with as much of a chance to win as the Yanks. I think in this particular case (could be dead wrong) Lee didnt want to play with the pressure and spotlight in NY. Why not go to Philly and fly under the radar with as good (or better chance) of winning the World Series. I think comfort was a big issue.
When I read this, I immediately thought..."Good for Lee, taking less money, and going to the place he wanted to be" Then I realized he's still getting 120 million, and quit feeling that way. The Phillies are going to be scary good. Definantly the best pitching rotation (on paper, still have to play the games) I can ever remember. At least my Cardinals signed a 35 year old first basemen, with health problems, and a bat that is slowing down, to play RF
Agreed. Lee has always been a laid back and very quiet guy. He just goes out there and pitches every 5 days and keeps his mouth shut.
good for him, eff the yanks looks like the best bought team is baseball is going to scramble for some talent, they can always have pavano from here i wouldnt mind. and also i like lees decision to go to the phills based partly on the fact he liked the team and how things are run there not just going for the money.
HUGE Braves fan here, so first I will say lets not confuse them with Glavine, Maddux and Smoltz just yet...that is 3 hall of famers on the front end of our rotation. Oswalt is very good, as well as Hamels but they are not in the same class as the 3 listed above... Secondly as a Huge Braves fan...son of a ........they will run away with the division.
Glavine was my hero when I was playing summer ball. I tried to copy every move when I pitched in Babe Ruth and Legion ball. Knowing what I know now, the umpires made Glavine the pitcher he was. Lee blows him out of the water.
I will give you the fact that Lee is a great pitcher, but blows a first ballot hall of famer out of the water...you said a mouth full there. Remember, I have a bad taste for the way Glavine left Atlanta, so i am not exactly his biggest fan.
Very good point with those 3 (and Avery was no slouch either). That '93 team (I may be wrong on the season), was an unbelievable staff. However, at the end of the 2011 season, I believe that this Phillies pitching staff will be one of the most dominant staffs in league history.
I could care less if Glavine left Atlanta. Not sure if he really had a choice. Cliff Lee has 10 times better stuff than Glavine. You have to realize that Glavine threw in the "pitchers era". A huge strike zone! If Glavine had started his career 10 year later he would not have been that pitcher he was and that is a fact. Name me a pitcher today that dominates with a low 80's fastball and a 70 mph phat curveball? BTW, when it's all said and done, Lee will be a 1st ballot also.
