In the "Who-Saw-This-Coming" Department, Cliff Lee has signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Phillies rotation now features Roy Halladay, Lee, Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels... and some fifth guy yet to be determined. As soon as they trade Joe Blanton.
At first glance, this looks like Ruben Amaro's attempt to recreate the magic of those Atlanta teams of the 1990s, that used to finish ahead of the Phillies every year. It is, to say the least, an impressive starting rotation.
It may need to be. The rest of the club has some issues. Everyone in the lineup is on the wrong side of 30 (until D. Brown steps in for the departed Jayson Werth.) Some of them are clearly declining (Jimmy Rolins); others are coming off injuries (Chase Utley). The carnival ride also known as Brad Lidge is still their closer...
But still.... WHOAH.
I guarantee one thing and one thing only. Scott Boras is furious. Furious - I tell you, smoke is escaping from his ears at this very moment. Boras and the folks the MLB Players' Association probably feel the same way . Cliff Lee left at least $30 million dollars on the table to sign with the Phillies.
Thirty million dollars.
Holy crap.
So.. what else is new?
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20101214025052495