Phillies sign Cliff Lee making things even harder for rest of the NL East

Many felt that he was headed to either the Yankees or staying with the Rangers but as it turns out he pulled a shocker and signed with Philadelphia for 5 years and $100 million dollars. In signing with the Phillies he turned down a 7 year offer from the Yankees that is rumored to have been for $50 million more than what the Phillies got him for.

Lee is a former Cy Young winner and 2x All Star and has been one of the leagues premier pitchers over the last 3 seasons having pitched in a combined 17 complete games with 7 shutouts on a 2.98 era.

This signing is just another example of the rich getting richer as the defending 4x NL East Champions won the race for the most sought after starting pitcher in free agency this off season.

The Phillies now boast a rotation that consists of

Roy Halladay- in 2010 led the league in wins, complete games, shutouts, innings and had a 2.44 era
Roy Oswalt- finished the 2010 season with a 2.76 era over 33 games pitched
Cole Hamels- finished the 2010 season with a 3.06 era over 33 games pitched
Cliff Lee- finished the 2010 season with a 3.18 era over 28 games pitched
Kyle Kendrick- finished the 2010 season with a 4.73 era over 33 games pitched

The Phillies now have 4 pitchers that would all be the ace on just about any other team in baseball. If they stay healthy hands down its the best rotation in the league today and has the potential to be amongst the best of all time.

With that rotation and the bats they still have Philly is the clear favorite to win the NL East and probably even the National League as a whole. This is one team that I’m definitely not looking forward to the Nationals facing 18 times in 2011.

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