Buried in an item on Foxsports.com about the Rays' interest in Cleveland Indians starter Cliff Lee, is a note that says the Phillies are a major player for Lee as well.
The article does corretly point out, however, that the Phillies would rather have Halladay (well, for one…he's better) because he is a right-hander and adding Lee would make four lefties in the Phils starting rotation. That is, assuming that JA Happ isn't in that deal.
This season, Lee has a 3.17 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP. And that's in the American League. I personally would have no problem adding that to the Phils starting rotation, and I don't care if he pitches with his feet.
Yes, this is last year's AL Cy Young winner, who won the award with a 22-3 record with a 2.54 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. Yes, please?
I think we all know that W/L for a pitcher is overrated, but 22 wins? That's not an accident. This guy can play. And the Phils would only have to pay him $2 million for the rest of the year with a $9 million team option for next year.
It's way more interesting this year to be talking about getting guys like Lee and Halladay at the deadline, instead hearing about Joe Blanton (and I actually like Blanton), Scott Eyre and four schmucks that they got for Bobby Abreu.
Speaking of which, does anyone remember who the Phillies got for Abreu? Yeah, me neither, I had to look it up. We've been hearing so much about all these prospects that the Phillies have, I was curious if any one of their names had come up in Roy Halladay speculation. The answer? Nope.
Shortstop C.J. Henry, reliever Matt Smith, catcher Jesus Sanchez and right hander Carlos Monasterios. It would take someone much smarter than I to say what these guys have done since they've been in the organization.
But I digress. So yeah, Cliff Lee is a possibility.
