Phillies pick up Cliff Lee's option for '10

[Auggie]

Associated Press, 11-06-09

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia Phillies have picked up Cliff Lee's $9 million option for 2010.

The team announced the expected move on Friday, two days after losing the World Series to the New York Yankees. Lee's contract expires after next season, though general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the team is open to signing the star left-hander to a long-term deal.

Lee, 31, was acquired from the Cleveland Indians on July 29 for four minor leaguers and quickly became Philadelphia's ace. Lee posted a 3.39 ERA in 12 starts for the Phillies and then went 4-0 with a 1.56 mark in five postseason outings, including 2-0 in the World Series.

Lee might command a deal similar to the seven-year, $161 million contract the Yankees gave CC Sabathia. Lee told MLB.com on Thursday that he's interested in staying with the Phillies but had not given much thought to his contract.

LINK: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4629784

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That was a no-brainer

[TK421]

1. Gotta hand it to him, the guy is quite talented but he's only 31?

Christ, I feel so OLD

[DaveinMD]

2. the fact that his option was so affordable

makes is so baffling that the Indians traded him for so little.

By the way, Lee's age makes it unlikely he'll get a Sabathia deal. Sabathia just turned 29 in July. Lee won't reach free agency until 3 years later.

[Auggie]

3. I recall he openly criticized team errors that led to some losses...

that's not cool for team building, I believe -- especially a young team.

But yeah, baffling is right.

[joeybee12]

4. Agreed, a no-brainer, Lee WAS their pitching staff, and it finally caught up

with them in the series.