 | This is just a formality at this point since it has been known it would happen for a year now, but the Phillies declined to pick up left-hander Cliff Lee's club option for 2016. As a result, the Phillies will give Lee a nice early Christmas present when they pay him his $12.5 million buyout on November 30 rather than the $27.5 million they would've owed him for the 2016 season. |
Lee's career very well may be over after missing all of 2015 with a torn common flexor tendon in his left elbow. The Phillies paid him $25 million for the 2015 season.
At 37 years old, Lee is likely finished after suffering an injury such as this. The veteran lefty first hit the DL in May 2014, but made a return in July 2014, making three starts before being shut down again.
Lee rehabbed during the offseason, but was bothered by the injury again in March. He met with doctors multiple times since then, but has declined to have surgery to repair the torn tendon.
If this is the end for Lee's career, it comes to a close with very respectable numbers. In 13 seasons in the majors, Lee won the AL Cy Young once (2008), was a four-time all-star and compiled a 143-91, 3.52 ERA, 1,824 strikeouts and 1.20 WHIP in 328 games (324 starts).
Lee was first acquired by the Phillies at the trade deadline in 2009, and went 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA in the second half of the season, helping the Phillies to reach their second straight World Series.
The Phillies would trade Lee away in the offseason, but would eventually bring him back in December 2010 on a five-year, $120-million deal, as the pitcher turned down more guaranteed money from the Yankees (take that New York).
Lee finishes his second stint with the Phillies having gone 41-30 with a 2.89 ERA and 1.085 WHIP in 106 starts.
We thank Cliff for his hard work during his time in Philadelphia and wish him the best in any future endeavors.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
At 37 years old, Lee is likely finished after suffering an injury such as this. The veteran lefty first hit the DL in May 2014, but made a return in July 2014, making three starts before being shut down again.
Lee rehabbed during the offseason, but was bothered by the injury again in March. He met with doctors multiple times since then, but has declined to have surgery to repair the torn tendon.
If this is the end for Lee's career, it comes to a close with very respectable numbers. In 13 seasons in the majors, Lee won the AL Cy Young once (2008), was a four-time all-star and compiled a 143-91, 3.52 ERA, 1,824 strikeouts and 1.20 WHIP in 328 games (324 starts).
Lee was first acquired by the Phillies at the trade deadline in 2009, and went 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA in the second half of the season, helping the Phillies to reach their second straight World Series.
The Phillies would trade Lee away in the offseason, but would eventually bring him back in December 2010 on a five-year, $120-million deal, as the pitcher turned down more guaranteed money from the Yankees (take that New York).
Lee finishes his second stint with the Phillies having gone 41-30 with a 2.89 ERA and 1.085 WHIP in 106 starts.
We thank Cliff for his hard work during his time in Philadelphia and wish him the best in any future endeavors.
By: Kyle Babcock
Follow us on Twitter: @BroadStBeat
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