Not only the Boston Red Sox can get top tier players this off-season. In a surprising turn of events the Philadelphia Phillies snatched away Cliff Lee under the noses of the supposed frontrunners New York Yankees and Texas Rangers. The ace will earn $120 million over the next five years on his return to Citizens Bank Park.

Philadelphia’s rotation also includes Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels next season and can easily be considered the best in all of baseball.

Cliff Lee spent the 2010 season with the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers. Statistically his time with the Mariners was much better. He had an 8-3 record with them and a 4-6 record with the Rangers. In Seattle he had a stellar 2.35 ERA and 0.95 WHIP, whereas he accumulated a 3.98 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 15 starts with Texas. He did however reach the playoffs with the Texas Rangers and, like in 2009 with the Philadelphia Phillies, ended up losing in the World Series.

In 9 seasons in the Major League Cliff Lee started 218 games and has a 102-61 record. His career ERA is 3.85 with a 1.26 WHIP.  

Philadelphia has got to be the favourite in the National League to return to the World Series in 2011 for the third time in 4 years.

From a competitive point of view Lee’s decision to join the Phillies makes sense. He enjoyed a successful spell with them in 2009 and remained unbeaten in the playoffs with a 1.56 ERA. It appears to be easier to return to the World Series with the Phillies than it would have been with the New York Yankees or the Texas Rangers.

There is also the statistical factor. While both Rangers Ballpark and Citizens Bank Park are hitter-friendly, Lee recorded his worst ERA since 2007 during his 15 regular season games with the Rangers.

From a monetary standpoint Cliff Lee’s taking a risk and is probably losing out in the long haul. By the time his contract expires he will be 37 years of age and will probably have to fight for another contract anywhere. Had he signed with the Yankees or Rangers he would have received an additional $10 - 15 million per year until he’s 39.

It seems to me Cliff Lee chose what appears to be the most promising option to get a World Series ring over money and will be reunited with players he thinks highly of.

Fantasy Perspective

Cliff Lee has been one of the top starting pitchers for the past 3 years which won’t change in 2011. The Phillies may not only have the best rotation in the NL they may also possess the most potent lineup. This will push Cliff Lee close to 20 wins but I think he’ll come short of it by just one win. He is known to be an innings eater which should get his Ks to about 180. It will be challenging for him match Roy Halladay’s (2.44) or Roy Oswalt’s ERA of 1.74 for the Phillies. In fact, I think it will be closer to the 3.39 he had in 2009 when he already pitched for Philadelphia. 

New York Mets Perspective

The Mets were without a chance to win the NL East before this acquisition but it may make it harder now to achieve this goal within the next few years. In 2009 Cliff Lee pitched at Citi Field in their only meeting thus far and didn’t allow a run in 7 innings.