Lee To Philadelphia, I Love It!

Sorry Yankee fans, but Cliff Lee signing with Philadelphia is the best thing to happen for baseball in the last 20 years. 

The reasons are quite simple:

IT PUTS EVERY TEAM IN THE HUNT FOR EVERY PLAYER: Three free agents signed $100 million deals this off-season: one signed with the Red Sox, one went with Washington while the other blew off the Yankees quicker than the captain of the cheerleaders blew off Brian Cady when he asked her to go to the Homecoming Dance. 

Detroit got Victor Martinez, The White Sox signed Adam Dunn and resigned Paul Konerko, the Cubs inked Carlos Pena to a 1-year deal, the Braves traded for Dan Uggla.  

Let’s be honest - as of right now, the Orioles actually made better off-season moves than the Yankees. Mark Reynolds, JJ Hardy and Kevin Gregg: two solid upgrades on the left side of the infield and a legit closer while all the Yanks did was re-signed two aging players from last year’s team (Rivera, Jeter) and took a chance on an injury-prone catcher who hasn't played a full season in over 2 years (Russell Martin).  The Yanks didn’t actually add anyone to their roster!!!

IT TAKES AWAY THE YANKEE MYSTIQUE: Lee shocked the world by taking less money to pitch in Philadelphia and now, the Yanks are in panic mode. Right now, their 2011 rotation is a hot mess: CC, Hughes, AJ Burnett, Nova and Mitre?  Andy Pettitte can now ask for the world from Cashman in hopes he’ll come back for one more year. 

For once, the Yankees lost out on the best free agents – all of them!!  Baseball is laughing at this. Finally, the Yanks lose at their own game!!!  The Yanks assumed Lee would sign with them just because “they are the Yankees”.  Sorry but I’m taking the Red Sox in the AL East right now.  I’m not saying the spit-gate was the main reason Lee turned down the Yankees but it certainly didn’t help!!!

HAPPINESS DOESN’T ALWAYS EQUAL MONEY: Lee signed for less money in Philadelphia than either the Yankees or Rangers were offering.  Lee has agreed to a five-year contract worth $120 million.  That’s about $24 million a year.

The Yankees offered Lee his choice of a six-year, $138 million deal or a seven-year, $148 million contract, including a player option.  That would be an average $23 million (but one additional year). The 7-year deal would average about $21 million per (but for 2 more years). 

The Rangers also offered Lee six years, $138 million, but with significant deferrals. The Rangers' other offer was for six years, $120 million. Both proposals included a vesting option for a seventh year. The Rangers deals averaged either $20 or $21 million per (but for one or two additional years). Lee went with the option that gave him the best chance to win now.

If I were to tell you I’ll pay you a certain amount less than you make now but with you'll work with better co-workers, you'll have a great boss (that you like), you'll work for a company on the move and you'll have a better chance to move up than you do in your current company, would you take it?  Of course you would - because you'd be happier.  And that's what this was about here people!!