December 14, 2010

Back on the Cliff

Every single Phillies loss last year was blamed on the fact that they had traded Cliff Lee. Next year, they'll need a new excuse.

Even though the Phils traded him a year ago because they decided they couldn't afford him, even though they had a supposed payroll cap, even though they didn't really need more pitching, even though they have a policy of never going over three years for a pitcher and even though they were never mentioned as a suitor until yesterday, the Phillies have signed Lee to a five-year deal for over $100 million.

Lee decided to spurn the Yankees in part because their fans were mean to his wife during the ALCS when he was with the Rangers. So the one time that asshole fan behavior actually has consequences, it rebounds to Philadelphia's benefit.

The Phillies will obviously enter 2011 as the favorite to win the NL pennant and probably for winning the World Series too. And the signing certainly extends their championship window by a couple more years. But one thing to keep in mind: almost every significant player on the team, other than Cole Hamels, is over 30, including the entire starting lineup, Halladay, Oswalt and now Lee. There remains a chance that all of those people will decline at once.

But in the meantime, Philly, enjoy R2C2!

Posted by Stephen Silver at December 14, 2010 12:49 PM
Comments
Post a comment









Remember personal info?