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In a report for MLB.com, Todd Zolecki says that the Phillies have exercised their option on Cliff Lee.
The option will pay Lee $9 million in 2010, after which he can be a free agent if the two sides cannot work out an extension.
…this is obviously a no-brainer, as he has emerged as one of the best pitchers in baseball…
…that said, as i said earlier, it is going to be difficult for the Phillies to be able to pay what Lee will ultimately command, as they have to find a way to be able to afford him and both Ryan Howard and Chase Utley…and the situation surrounding Howard might an issue as early as 2010 with his contract expiring after 2011…
Thus begins the countdown to the break-up of these Phillies… don’t hold your breath, Mets fans.
Also, Lee’s option? Biggest no-brainer of the offseason.
I think the Phillies have a huge bargaining chip in making themselves better right now…and I hope they don’t read this.
The SECRET?
Trade Howard…today. To the right team Ryan Howard could bring back a treasure trove of talent. And the Phillies do not need his HR power. The have so much power scattered throughout the lineup, that his is almost overkill. Plus, they could just sign (or trade for) a much cheaper solution who can hit 20-25 bombs.
A team like the Dodgers, Giants, Red Sox, etc. would jump at the chance to get him and they would pay through the nose.
Just my opinion…but I think I am right.
http://rightwingrambling.blogspot.com/2009/11/blueprint-for-world-domination-part-2.html
Yeah, but Howard hits 40 and drives in, what, 150? Tough to replace that bat.
I think what therambler is saying is in that ballpark they can find a 1B who will hit 30 and drive in 100. Sure there will be some lost production, but they could land so much talent that they would have a decade of sustainability.
Its actually a pretty smart suggestion. But its hard to break up a team that just went to 2 consecutive World Series.
Also, they dont have a ton of holes, so it would be much more about subtle cheap upgrades at many positions…
They don’t have a ton of holes? Beyond this post, Lee, They’ve got no bullpen and no rotation. Hamels is in the same boat as Pelfrey. who knows.
I’d agree, outside of Cliff Lee they don’t have much of a rotation at all, especially now that Myers is leaving. Who do they really have? It says a great deal, when they started Pedro twice in the postseason throwing 85 + mph. and that was with only 8 regular season starts under his belt. He is clearly toast unless they move him to the pen which is unlikely. Probably their second best pitcher is A.J. Happ (who probably should have started game 6 for them) After Lee and Happ they got Hammels = ?, Pedro= (stick a fork in him) and a 40 + Jamie Moyer who is most definetly on fumes at this point in his career!
There will be no break up. They are winning which leads to sell outs, they make the playoffs which leads to more money which leads to bandwagon merchandise money. Tehy will retain all their “guys” unless there is a reason not to like a serious injury. When will the Wilpons understand that winning pennants and WS’s does lead to more money.
Your statements make no sense. The Wilpons spent $140m last season. Its not about how much you spend, but how you spend it.
I think he is insinuating that unlike the Mets, the Phillies mgmt makes good decisions with their money, so nothing for them to worry about.
What Im saying is the Phillies have been increasing their payroll because they have been winning more and thus making more money. They also continue to spend money on the draft to ensure they will keep on winning and thus keep on making money. They will be able to resign whomever they please.
The Mets spend enough money to sell tickets and t shirts and thus make that money back and then some. However, they do not care about winning and they apparently don’t seem to get that if you build a consistent winner the money will always be there. Philly’s management has apparently caught on to that which is why they have continued to re-invest their money into guys that can keep the wins coming. Yet the Mets always talk about their budget constraints even after opening a new ballpark going on 3 horribly disappointing season.
I’m very frustrated with this team (read: Ownership/FO), if my rants are hard to understand I apologize.
The Mets payroll has increased by over $30 million since 2006, yet the Mets have won fewer games. So saying the Mets haven’t increased their spending is completely false.
The issue is they got more out of their money in 2006 than they have in any year since. Increasing spending is useless unless it is spent properly.
Michael:
Utley is signed thru 2013 and Howard thru 2011.
He doesn’t say otherwise
Yes, but Utley should not have a big impact on the Lee decision b/c Utley is signed for 4 more years and Lee is not going to get Santana and Sabathia money.
I think Michael was just pointing out that Lee is going to want a 4-5 yr contract for big money. When Utley and Howard are ready to talk extension before they become free agents they too are going to require a big contract so can the Phil’s afford to dish out the big $18-20 mill a year contract to Lee and risk not being able to afford the same amount for Utley and Howard in a few years? Not to mention, I believe Werth is not making a ton of money and if he has another good 30+ Hr year, he could demand a big contract extension to when his time is up.