Cliff Lee Reaches Deal With Phillies

Cliff Lee has reached a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, pending a physical, according to multiple sources.  Just hours ago it was reported that the Phillies had become serious suitors in the Lee sweepstakes after weeks of speculation focused on whether Lee would join the Yankees or remain with the Rangers.  Many sources had reported that there was a mystery third team involved but few believed it to be true.  MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan was the first to report the surprise signing.  According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the deal with the Phillies is for 5 years at approximately $20 million per year.  If this is true, Lee left a lot of money on the table in order to return to the City of Brotherly Love.

Lee will join a rotation that already includes Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels, and National League 2010 Cy Young Winner Roy Halladay.  If all four men remain healthy, it could arguably be the best rotation in the history of Major League Baseball.