Phillies Sign Cliff Lee

[NJCardFan]

I mean, wow:

Faced with a decision to sign with the New York Yankees or the Texas Rangers, Cliff Lee(notes) has made his choice:

Neither.

The Philadelphia Phillies, who only a year ago dismayed their fans by trading away Lee in the name of organizational depth, rallied to sign the ace left-hander and emerge with the deepest rotation in baseball.

Operating in stealth mode until Monday, the Phillies added Lee to a staff that already held Roy Halladay(notes), Roy Oswalt(notes) and Cole Hamels(notes). Last December 16, the club traded for Halladay, then, despite the promise of Lee following Halladay – or vice versa – in the rotation, moved Lee to Seattle. General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. eventually filled a predictable gap in the pitching staff by acquiring Oswalt in mid-summer.http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Ap0DBuQsvNwGGUttxmupf.E5nYcB?slug=ti-philliessignlee121310

How would you like to face this staff:

Roy Halliday
Cliff Lee
Roy Oswalt
Cole Hamels

The NL just got a tad interesting.

 

[Shane]

Wow. Guaranteed world series.

 

[NJCardFan]

Wow. Guaranteed world series.

Nothing is guaranteed. Still have to hit and still need to replace Werth in RF. However, with this staff, they could put my fat and out of shape body in RF and win 100 games.

 

[Shane]

Nothing is guaranteed. Still have to hit and still need to replace Werth in RF. However, with this staff, they could put my fat and out of shape body in RF and win 100 games.

Its about as guaranteed as you can get if that staff stays healthy. That line up still has plenty of bats in it with or without Werth.

Dominant FA pitcher much much much > Werth.

 

[Mulli]

Oswalt and Hamels overrated. Lee also overrated.

Holliday is awesome.

No World Series guarantee.

 

[Jersey Girl]

Oswalt and Hamels overrated. Lee also overrated.

Holliday is awesome.

No World Series guarantee.

Jealous much, lol?



I am psyched. Can't believe this happened, but am very happy it did.

 

[Mulli]

Jealous much, lol?



I am psyched. Can't believe this happened, but am very happy it did.

Not jealous. Not at all.

 

[82CardsGrad]

Oswalt and Hamels overrated. Lee also overrated.

Holliday is awesome.

No World Series guarantee.

You might know something I don't, but in this era of MLB, it's hard to see how three guys who all avg more than 200 innings per season, with above avg winning %'s, and with Lee coming off of one of the greatest post-season performances ever, can be considered "overrated"???

IMHO, while much still needs to be proved on the field, this rotation has the potential to become an all-time great rotation... right up there with some of the historical best.

 

[Mulli]

You might know something I don't, but in this era of MLB, it's hard to see how three guys who all avg more than 200 innings per season, with above avg winning %'s, and with Lee coming off of one of the greatest post-season performances ever, can be considered "overrated"???

IMHO, while much still needs to be proved on the field, this rotation has the potential to become an all-time great rotation... right up there with some of the historical best.

They are great for the regular season. I think they can all be beat in the postseason.

 

[82CardsGrad]

They are great for the regular season. I think they can all be beat in the postseason.

Well... ok. But, any pitcher on any given day can be beat. Overrated is a reach... Do they still have things to prove in the post season? Absolutely... but at this stage, I see no evidence to suggest that they are overrated.

 

[Shane]

Oswalt and Hamels overrated. Lee also overrated.

Holliday is awesome.

No World Series guarantee.

Bet?

 

[Southpaw]

One great statistical year. 2008 w/ Indians. Guy is on his 5th team in 8 years.

 

[Mulli]

I hope Cliff Lee's back holds up. Something tells me Oswalt and Hamels may be injuries waiting to happen as well.

The National League is nowhere near as tough as the AL, so the Phillies should make it. Just as they should have swept the Giants. But didn't.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I like the rumor/story of Lee's wife being treated poorly by the fans at Yankee staduim and that that was one of the reasons Lee didn't sign with them.

Awesome. Finally those types of "hardcore" fans actually cost their team an opportunity.

 

[Mulli]

I like the rumor/story of Lee's wife being treated poorly by the fans at Yankee staduim and that that was one of the reasons Lee didn't sign with them.

Awesome. Finally those types of "hardcore" fans actually cost their team an opportunity.

I thought that pretty cool.

 

[Shane]

Bet?

mulli

 

[Mulli]

I hope Cliff Lee's back holds up. Something tells me Oswalt and Hamels may be injuries waiting to happen as well.

The National League is nowhere near as tough as the AL, so the Phillies should make it. Just as they should have swept the Giants. But didn't.

mulli

meh

 

[NJCardFan]

They are great for the regular season. I think they can all be beat in the postseason.

Post Season Stats

Halladay: 2-1 2.54ERA including a no hitter

Oswalt: 1-1 2.81ERA(1.84 in LCS)

Hamels: 1-1 1.80ERA

Believe me, the 3 losses by these pitchers wasn't due to their pitching. The hitting fell asleep in the LCS. But you statement about being beatable in the playoffs goes for any pitcher. Lincecum wasn't exactly lights out in the playoffs either as he had a 2.43era this year(3.14/3.29 in LCS and WS respectively). When you're pitching in the playoffs, you're pitching against the best of the best of the league. There's no shame in that. That said, your comments in this thread are fueled by one of 2 things; blind jealousy or blind hatred or maybe even both. Any true baseball fan would salivate at this pitching staff. And please explain to me how Hamels is injury prone? He's averaged 33 starts a year for he past 3 years. Same with Oswalt. He hasn't pitched in less than 30 games since 2003.

I also love that now all of a sudden to Yankee fans, Lee sucks.

 

[Mulli]

Just remember this thread. I shall be vindicated. Ha ha.

People are so sensitive.

 

[Southpaw]

Just remember this thread. I shall be vindicated. Ha ha.

People are so sensitive.

One off season, a spring training season and 162 games later,and anyone, besides you will remember?

 

[Mulli]

One off season, a spring training season and 162 games later,and anyone, besides you will remember?

Ha ha.

 

[Mulli]

Oswalt was hit in the head!

 

[Mulli]

I hope Cliff Lee's back holds up. Something tells me Oswalt and Hamels may be injuries waiting to happen as well.

The National League is nowhere near as tough as the AL, so the Phillies should make it. Just as they should have swept the Giants. But didn't.

Bump.

 

[Mulli]

Oswalt and Hamels overrated. Lee also overrated.

Holliday is awesome.

No World Series guarantee.

Bump.

 

[Mulli]

http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.cgi?id=leecl02&t=p&post=1

Check out Cliff Lee's last three games in the post-season: 14 earned runs in 17 innings.