Cliff Lee was reportedly considering a comeback earlier this winter, but as his agent Darek Braunecker now tells FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal (Twitter link), “We don’t anticipate him playing at this point.”
Lee last pitched on July 31, 2014 and has since been sidelined due to elbow problems and then a partially torn flexor tendon in his throwing shoulder. After receiving a clean bill of health in December, however, Lee was looking to return to the mound and drew interest from at least 15 teams. There were some caveats to Lee’s comeback attempt, however, as Braunecker said in January that his client would require “a perfect fit” to return. Lee was looking for a one-year Major League deal with a contender reportedly in the range of $6MM-$8MM in base salary, plus incentives. The left-hander also didn’t reach the point of throwing for teams or holding a showcase, so clubs had several questions about the health of Lee’s shoulder, or when in the season he’d be able to pitch.
At age 37 and already 18 months removed from his last game, it’s hard to see Lee mounting another comeback attempt next offseason. If this is indeed the end of Lee’s 13-year Major League career, he’ll go down as one of the best left-handed starters of his era. Lee’s impressive resume includes the 2008 AL Cy Young Award, four All-Star appearances, stints on two pennant winners (the 2009 Phillies and the 2010 Rangers) and a 2.93 ERA over his last 1415 innings. He also banked over $143.3MM over his career, most of it earned from the five-year, $120MM contract he signed with Philadelphia in the 2010-11 offseason.
Still can’t believe that 2011 Phils team didn’t win it all. That roster was unbelievably good.
Blame the offense for choking against the Cards in Game 5. Couldn’t give Halladay a single run of support and they lose 1-0. Just some rotten luck.
Well they did finish with the best record in baseball. The playoffs are a very small sample and IMO,. 162 games tells me more about a team than 5 games.
How many teams have best record trophies in their building? I thought so.
It’s a shame to not see any more of Lee. I was holding out hope, he could have rounded out the Pirates rotation nicely.
Like the Tigers, the Phillies overlooked one extremely important area which they needed to win it all: They both had very bad Managers.
Manuel also managed the 2008 World Champion Phillies…
Lee was/is a great pitcher. Even as a Braves fan I wish he could get one last great season in before he hangs it up.
Even if he was to pitch one last season, the chances of it being great are slim to none. i get what you’re saying though.
I was surprised that his agent was looking for $6 million and the guy didn’t pitch at all… It’s becoming arrogant now with all these players “demanding ” $$ and not posting a stable WAR..
It is Cliff Lee we’re talking about. I don’t think anyone doubts his ability to be worth $6m if his arm held together for any decent length of time.
It is a guy who will turn 38 this season with health issues who hasn’t pitched in 18 months. That is why people doubt he is worth the $6 million he is asking for.
From a purely business point of view, I’d think he’d put enough fans in seats and sell enough merchandise to justify the $6 million. If he actually pitched well, or even reasonably well, it’s a bargain. I’m sure there would be pretty heavy insurance on such a medically risky signing; I honestly don’t see how a team would lose money on this one.
Right? Yet, my Red Sox paid Justin Masterson 9.5m for “Rotation Depth” last year. Why not take a try on this guy?
Well, six million is less than the cost of a single win. Lee never relied on huge velocity so it’s reasonable to think that if his arm can can get pieced together enough to throw 25 starts his pitchability should allow for some success.
For all the domination guys like Lee, Halladay, and Johan, put on, they’re sure not getting storybook endings for their careers. It just doesn’t seem right. Who would have thought they’d be gone and Bartolo Colon and CC would out last them physically?