Surprise...Cliff Lee Stays In Philly

The New York Yankees received a call from Cliff Lee's agent, Darek Braunecker, who told them that ace pitcher Cliff Lee will stay in the cheesesteak city, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The contract he accepted calls for five years at more than $100 million with a one year option. Less money, less years but if he wants to be there, that's the most important thing. The NY Yankees had offered him a seven year deal, then upped it to eight. No dice, pinstripers. Here's the Yanks GM, Brian Cashman, after the news broke...

"This is much different than two years ago. We have a top-of-the-rotation pitcher in CC Sabathia, an 18-game winner in Phil Hughes and A.J. Burnett will rebound. We also have some of the best young pitchers in baseball and a top 10 minor league system. We got a really good team and will make it better regardless of what transpires. I am not panicked by it."

When you look at the projected Philadelphia Phillies pitching lineup, it puts fear into any MLB team. Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee will be the numbers one and two guys. Those two every five days is almost unbelievable. Follow them with none other than Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels. Hey Brian, as much as you sugarcoat this major blow, your team is no better than last year's club. Get used to second place in the AL East. Here's how the pinstripers rotation looks like as of this moment...CC Sabathia. Phil Hughes, A.J. Burnett, Ivan Nova and nobody. I'm looking for Mr. Nobody to have a great year. He's due plus he's a nice guy. And AJ will rebound? PLEEEZE.

That's it for now, my CONSTANT READERS. I thank you for popping in and if you'd like, click on this post's title for an article from yahoo dot com that I REALLY enjoyed. It's all about the Cliff Lee decision with a touch of humor. I highly recommend it. Click! Now? Yes!! As always, BE WELL. Let's be careful out there.