Cliff Lee Back To Philly

After all the negotiations and waiting Cliff Lee goes rouge and signs with the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Yankees and Rangers both got a surprising call last night to tell them thanks, but no thanks.  Free agent pitcher Cliff Lee goes for a smaller contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.  The deal is reportedly worth $120 million in guaranteed money and is for 5 years.

When all was said and done Lee went with a place that both he and his family enjoyed being in.  Lee was acquired late in 2009 by the Phillies and helped get them to the World Series where they lost to the Yankees.  According to ESPNs Jerry Crasnick Lee loved the clubhouse atmosphere in Philly and he and his wife grew to love the city and its people.  At the end of the season Philly dished Lee out to Seattle for fear that he would want a big contract.  So now he's back with the Phillies where he joins AL Cy Young winner Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels.  Basically, the Phillies are stacked and are going to be even more of a beast than the last couple of years where they have dominated their division.

This leaves the Yankees is a bit of trouble.  GM Brian Cashman now has to convince Andy Pettitte to come back for another season and whatever is left in the free agent pool doesn't even come close to Cliff Lee.  Texas is also in a bind now as they start a search for their next ace and are reportedly looking at Tampa Bays Matt Garza.