Yike. I can take a break from worrying about the Jets and take a moment to worry about the Yankees:
The Philadelphia Phillies agreed to terms late Monday night with Lee, the prized left-hander who pitched for them in the 2009 World Series, according to a baseball official told of the deal.
...In returning to Philadelphia, Lee will join a staggering rotation that could rival some of the greatest in history. Lee, a former Cy Young Award winner, will join the two-time winner Roy Halladay, along with Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels.
Halladay Osawalt and Hamels were supposed to stifle the Giants and couldn't, but still.
This immediately takes any pressure off the Mets to even pretend to compete in the National League East this year. And obviously, the Yankees have to get to the Series before the Fab Four becomes an issue. Still, the Best Team Money Can Buy was meant to leave Cliff Lee under my Christmas tree, so I am off to pout.
Disappoiting to Yankee fans, but my feeling is the Yanks would have had to give him a seven year contract, meaning that in the year 2018 he'd be a useless benchwarmer. The proof of the pudding, yada yada
Posted by: peter | December 14, 2010 at 07:46 AM
Well, we here in Philly are stunned. And amazed and thrilled! And my daughter can now wear the Cliff Lee jersey I got her for Christmas two years ago -- bought before he was traded, received afterward!
Posted by: anne | December 14, 2010 at 07:56 AM
We here in Atlanta find this development to be unhelpful.
Posted by: Donald | December 14, 2010 at 08:11 AM
Don't despair, TM - with a week left in the lame duck, there's still time for Congress to void the contract and order Lee to report to New York. Nowhere in the Constitution does it say that Congress can't decide jobs for people.
Posted by: bgates | December 14, 2010 at 08:31 AM
How about getting some clutch hitting now??
Posted by: bunky | December 14, 2010 at 08:41 AM
Can the Sherman Anti-Trust Act be invoked to break up the Phillies rotation? This is a crime against the city of Atlanta and the entire Southeast (other than the half-dozen Marlins fans rumored to be somewhere around Miami).
Posted by: Appalled | December 14, 2010 at 08:42 AM
Can the Sherman Anti-Trust Act be invoked
SHERMAN SAVES ATLANTA
Yankees Hardest Hit....
Posted by: bgates | December 14, 2010 at 09:02 AM
Are you kidding me? Well, he didn't win a WS game for the Rangers so good riddance. pfftt.
Posted by: Sue | December 14, 2010 at 09:05 AM
bgates:
OK. That's funny.
Posted by: Appalled | December 14, 2010 at 09:11 AM
I see no threat to the Cubs losing streak here.
Posted by: Melinda Romanoff | December 14, 2010 at 09:31 AM
Congrats to Phillie fans. Charlie Manuel's continued employment in front of one of the most demandingly toxic fanbase ever is an ongoing source of amusement. I thought Cliff was very comfortable there and turning down more guaranteed money from the Yankees is evidence of that.
Posted by: Captain Hate | December 14, 2010 at 09:38 AM
The current Yankee rotation stinks badly. If they don't get some major help the Sox will clean their plow this year.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | December 14, 2010 at 09:58 AM
Mini Steinbrenner head asplode
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | December 14, 2010 at 10:49 AM
So maybe his wife likes the horse country.
====================================
Posted by: More than hoarse country. Cherchez les mares. | December 14, 2010 at 11:46 AM
As a Red Sox fan I offer the following: HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
Posted by: Donavon Pfeiffer Jr | December 14, 2010 at 12:02 PM
--SHERMAN SAVES ATLANTA
Yankees Hardest Hit....--
Genius at work.
Posted by: Ignatz | December 14, 2010 at 12:09 PM
On the bright side, TM, you don't have to worry about the Jets. Stick a fork in them, they're done!
Posted by: Boatbuilder | December 14, 2010 at 01:20 PM
Gotta wonder about the Yankee fans' hospitality to Mrs. Lee, and how that affected the decision.
Posted by: BobDenver | December 14, 2010 at 01:48 PM
Wonder all you want. I think Lee knows deep down inside he does not have what it takes to be a Yankee.
Posted by: peter | December 14, 2010 at 02:02 PM
Lee never even considered going to NY, I guess. He told the Rangers he would come back to Texas if they guaranteed him 7 years. Rangers said no. Phillies were his 2nd choice. Not NY.
Posted by: Sue | December 14, 2010 at 02:07 PM
Apparently the heat here in Texas might have made him a little uneasy, too. I have no idea why. It doesn't get that hot. ::wink::
Posted by: Sue | December 14, 2010 at 02:09 PM
I noticed this weekend that all of the sporting goods stores in the DFW metroplex had Cliff Lee shirts for sale. Wonder how that is working out for them?
Posted by: Sue | December 14, 2010 at 03:44 PM
How much extra state income tax will he now have to pay? Must have been worth it.
Posted by: Jack is Back! | December 14, 2010 at 05:19 PM
Jack,
I'm not sure how that works. Arkansas has a state income tax and it is my understanding he was/is going to maintain his home there.
Posted by: Sue | December 14, 2010 at 05:27 PM
Professional players pay income taxes in whichever state they are playing in that weekend or day. At least that is my understanding.
Posted by: Stephanie | December 14, 2010 at 09:36 PM
Don't be, there is always hope in everything that you do. There is always a sunshine after the rain. Don't be sad. I myself have been a depressing situation yet I managed to cope up with it. Just be strong an concentrate on the things that will occupy your time. Sooner or later things will get better. No doubt on that.
Posted by: all women stalk | December 15, 2010 at 03:21 AM