Phillies Thwart Yankees, Rangers to Get Cliff Lee Back

Pitcher accepts late bid to return to his 2009 team

By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 14, 2010 8:05 AM CST

(Newser) – Phillies fans are rejoicing today as Cliff Lee, the left-hander who pitched for the team during the 2009 World Series, returned—giving the team one of the best rotations in history. Terms were agreed to late last night, an official tells the New York Times. The deal is believed to be for at least five years and $100 million: less than he was offered by the New York Yankees, but Lee, apparently, never wanted to leave Philadelphia.

Until the Phillies swooped in, the Yankees and the Texas Rangers were the top two teams fighting for Lee. After being traded away from the Phillies last December, the pitcher went from the Seattle Mariners to the Rangers—and helped lead the Rangers to this year’s World Series. The Yankees, who bid seven years and around $150 million, have been trying to get Lee ever since the Mariners traded him to the Rangers in July.

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In an Oct. 18, 2009 photo Philadelphia Phillies' Cliff Lee pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of Game 3 of the National League Championship baseball series in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

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People rag on players for following that last dollar. Cliff didn’t do that. I have a lot of respect for him.
- Jon Daniels, Texas Rangers’ general manager

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Phillies Thwart Yankees, Rangers to Get Cliff Lee Back

Pitcher accepts late bid to return to his 2009 team

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