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« Hank Blalock Represented By Scott Boras | Main | Diamondbacks Exercise Option On Brandon Webb »
Phillies Exercise Option On Cliff Lee
The Phillies exercised their $9MM option on lefty Cliff Lee, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. The move was a no-brainer for the Phils, as Lee posted a 3.22 ERA in 231.6 innings this year and won the Cy Young award in '08. Next on the docket: long-term extension talks. Also, the Phillies must decide on Pedro Feliz's $5.5MM club option by Monday.
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Something tells me he's worth it.
Posted by: vtadave | November 06, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Shocked
Posted by: JoeyE | November 06, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Damn it Joey, I was going to say that.
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | November 06, 2009 at 11:10 AM
Man I didn't see this coming...
Posted by: PhukdaPhils | November 06, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Okay, we all knew that was coming. How much in terms of years/dollars will the Phills have to pony up for an extension? My early guess is somewhere in between Sabathia and Burnett.
Posted by: studio179 | November 06, 2009 at 11:22 AM
NEVER saw this coming...
Haha my guess is that he'll get an extension... probably in the ballpark of 5 years and $90 million. And he's worth it.
Posted by: Agent | November 06, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Doesn't this mean that Lee isn't going to talk extension until the 2010 offseason? If he really wanted an extension, they wouldn't have taken the option.
Posted by: humannature | November 06, 2009 at 11:33 AM
The Phillies were going to take the option no matter what. If they make an extension it will probably take some time for both sides to get what they want so they know they at least have this year now at a very reasonable price for Lee.
Posted by: redsox22 | November 06, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Something tells me Lee will decline an extension.?????
Posted by: ToBe | November 06, 2009 at 11:45 AM
The Phils exercised their option on Lee and haven't done anything with Brett Myers yet? What are they thinking? I guess that goes to show why they've only won one of the last two World Series.
Posted by: pageian | November 06, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Hey ToBE, What could possibly be telling you that Lee will decline an extension? You sound like a sour METS fan to me!
Posted by: SPT52 | November 06, 2009 at 11:57 AM
If Lee doesn't get an offer for around $100 mil...then he's not going to take the extension.
Posted by: PhukdaPhils | November 06, 2009 at 12:12 PM
No brainer picking up Lee's option, but now we need a TOR righty to compliment him. I don't trust Hamels to get out of his funk, so he shouldn't be more than out third starter going into opening day.
Next we need to bring in an experienced closer to be out set up man. That way if Lidge doesn't get his stuff together, we can insert this guy as the closer and return Madson to the set up role.
Finally, we need to say good by to Pedro Feliz. As good as he is on defense, his bat is a huge liability, especially since Ruiz is inconsistent on offense too. I would love it if they brought in Chone Figgens, but he might be too expensive.
Posted by: gplmark | November 06, 2009 at 01:09 PM
DUH this isnt news
Posted by: reed0186 | November 06, 2009 at 01:15 PM
So as it stands, our 2010 starting pitching:
1) Lee - (14-13, 3.22)
2) Hamels - (10-11, 4.32)
3) Blanton - (12-8, 4.05)
4) Happ - (12-4, 2.93)
5) Moyer - (12-10, 4.94)
do we re-sign Pedro?
(5-1, 3.63 ERA)
Posted by: FyreKnight | November 06, 2009 at 03:53 PM
In reviewing the 2011 Free Agent list on this site:
Bronson Arroyo (34) - $11MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Josh Beckett (31)
Joe Blanton (30)
Jeremy Bonderman (28)
Dave Bush (31)
Matt Cain (26) - $6.25MM vesting option
Kevin Correia (30)
Jorge De La Rosa (30)
Jeff Francis (29) - $7MM club option
Freddy Garcia (35)
Chad Gaudin (28)
Roy Halladay (34)
Aaron Harang (33) - $12.75MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Hiroki Kuroda (36)
Ted Lilly (35)
Noah Lowry (30)
Kevin Millwood (36)
Sergio Mitre (30)
Brian Moehler (39)
Jamie Moyer (48)
Tim Redding (33)
Nate Robertson (33)
Jeff Suppan (36) - $12.75MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Koji Uehara (36)
Javier Vazquez (34)
Jake Westbrook (33)
Dontrelle Willis (29)
Chris Young (32) - $8.5MM club option
1. Why is Cliff Lee not listed as a potential free agent in 2011?
2. Looks like a very good pitching free agent class, so that totally gives Philly leverage in their negotiations with Lee and definitely a back up plan. (This observation is based on where the players currently sit before trades this offseason and next season).
I read 5/90 seems fair, 100mm+ or he won't sign, etc. Take into consideration that he will be 33 entering FA (if he enters) and that the length of the deal will most likely be the determining factor. Who are projected to be the true big spenders in 2011? Although NYY and BOS is typical, will SFG or LAD or NYM, or for that matter, will Philly be in a position to run up the market value of Lee? So, if you are proposing 5 years already, seems like you should go ahead and add at least another year. I honestly think it is too early to predict his dollar value, especially with all the pitchers competing for FA value in their final contract year in the 2010 season. Lots of questions on my part.
Long post I know.
Posted by: gibson | November 06, 2009 at 04:11 PM
There is a feeling-out process here. I think that Cliff Lee needs to decide if he wants to play in Philly before he signs such an extension. He isn't getting any younger and would probably want to make sure he is on a team that will continue to give him repeat chances to win. I also think the Phillies have to see if Cliff Lee will have another year like 2007, where he basically stunk. This would help the extension be a bit more affordable if he shows to be inconsistent. The talent is undeniable, the consistency...well...who knows? Hopefully '07 will prove to be the anomaly.
Posted by: Paul | November 06, 2009 at 05:44 PM
what about pedro feliz? think he ll get paid the 5.5mil to stay in philly or let him go? I like beltre...power numbers struggled in seattle but he is 5 years younger than pedro and plays great defense (two time gg with seattle). Unfortunately boras is his agent and if trade talks in philly did commence, it might get out of hand as far as their asking price. But i would pay double the asking price for Feliz. Beltre's R handed bat would fit in perfectly with the dangerous left handed offensive production of our current lineup. Not to mention we already took Jamie and Raul away from Seattle.
Posted by: jrollpatrol2008 | November 06, 2009 at 06:49 PM
SPT52,
PhukdaPhils sort of answered your question for me.He also may choose to pitch for someone else.
Trust me I'm far from being a Mets fan.
Posted by: ToBe | November 07, 2009 at 08:19 AM