Sometimes the world of baseball is a great place, sometimes the New York Yankees are made to look like fools, and yes sometimes that is a very good thing. Cliff Lee has rejoined the Philadelphia Phillies, and while many thought of that signing as a surprise we should remember he wasn’t exactly the happiest camper about being traded away from their in the first place. Now he returns and gives the Phillies one of the best starting rotations since the 1990’s Atlanta Braves, and many consider them the favorites for the World Series title in 2011.
While the Phillies are certainly a great baseball team, and while their front office has continually made moves to keep them on an elite level. All this talk about rings is a little early. Remember those great Atlanta Braves teams only actually won one World Series. However a starting rotation of Roy Halladay, Cole Hammels, Cliff Lee, and Roy Oswalt is freaking outstanding.
Many think that Lee gave up money to resign with the Phillies. While that may be true he will make 120 million dollars over the next five years. That works out to 24 million dollars a year, and there is an option for 2016 at 27.5 million if he can pitch 200 innings in 2015 or 400 between 2014 and 2015. There is also a 12.5 million dollar buyout clause. That means the contract has a total worth of 147.5 million dollars and it seems Lee will likely earn at least 132.5 million.
I really got to hand it to the Phillies front office. They don’t just spend money to spend it, they have a plan. They go out and make moves to make their team better, and when they come up short they fix the problems immediately. They have five guys singed for 2011 all making more than 15 million. Of course their club also draws big crowds so they can afford too.
Related Links:
- Philadelphia Phillies news and notes
- The Business of Major League Baseball
- Joshua Lobdell.com
