Late last night, Cliff Lee signed a five year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies after turning down a larger offer by the New York Yankees. The Phillies offer for five years and $120 million apparently offered Lee a better chance to win over the six years and $132 million offered by the Yankees. For Orioles fans, the only way this move could be better would be if Lee joined the Baltimore rotation.
Lee’s move is refreshing to Orioles fans on a couple of levels. For one, it’s good to see a big free agent decide to play for a team that gives him the best chance to win over the team that offers the most money. But, it’s also great to see the Yankees miss out on the biggest free agents this off season, Carl Crawford and the aforementioned Lee.
As an Orioles fan, are you excited to see Cliff Lee choose the Phillies over the Yankees?
Excited? No. Relieved. Yes. I have nothing but admiration for a world class athlete who chooses to scrape by on $120 million, rather than being so greedy as to take $132 m. At least the O's won't have to face Lee 6 times per year. On the other hand, they (sort of) own Lee.
Good point. Even Josh Bell hit Cliff Lee well.
I'm still glad that the O's won't have to face him.
Any time the boys from New York get shafted I am excited. Right now, we cannot beat them on the field so lets rejoice in them getting beaten by their own greed.
What an awesome rotation Philly has assembled!!!