Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. shared some promosing news this evening about the 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner, Cliff Lee. Lee, 36, is about a week away from throwing off of the mound, and is pain free with no setbacks or issues (per Jake Kaplan of The Philadelphia Inquirer).
The Phillies' ace suffered a disappointing, injury-filled season in 2014. In May, Lee was placed on the disabled list with a left elbow strain and did not return until late July. Approximately a week later, on July 31st, he was removed after just 2.2 innings in his start against the Washington Nationals with elbow discomfort. Lee did not return for the rest of the season. He was only able to start in 13 games total, posting a 4-5 record with a 3.65 ERA. That was his highest overall ERA total since 6.29 in 2007 with the Cleveland Indians.
Lee returning healthy, and perhaps showing signs of his former dominance on the mound this Spring, would be great news as Ruben Amaro Jr. looks to shop him once again. Recall he was dealt from Philadelphia to the Seattle Mariners five Decembers ago for Tyson Gillies, Phillippe Aumont and J.C. Ramirez, all of whom have disappointed.
In five seasons overall with the Phillies, including the latter-half of the 2009 season and from 2011-on, Lee is 48-34 in 118 starts with a 2.94 ERA. He has 813 strikeouts in 827.1 innings, yielding a .983 strikeouts-per-inning ratio.
The southpaw is a four-time All Star, twice with Philadelphia in 2011 and 2013. He is set to make $25 million this season. There is a $12.5 million buyout in Lee's contract for the 2016 season, however a $27.5 million option will vest if Lee throws at least 200 innings in 2015. Lee would be 38 years old if his contract fulfills itself, and he has already told CSNPhilly.com's Jim Salisbury that this contract of his will be his last:
I’m getting up there in age. I’m 35 years old now and when this contract’s over I plan on going home, so I’m running out of opportunities. All I can control is what I can control, and I’m going to do everything I can to help us win. That’s all I know how to do.
Matt Rappa (@mattrappa) is a contributor to Philliedelphia.com.
