Mystery Team Revealed

Well, this just keeps getting more and more interesting.

Numerous reports out tonight are saying that the Philadelphia Phillies are the "mystery team" that has jumped in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes, along with the Rangers and Yankees.  Yes, those Phillies, that already have Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt in their rotation.  Apparently they have put in a late bid, but are serious contenders, and some people in New York are considering them to be the frontrunners at this time.  Lee pitched for the Phillies during the second half of the 2009 season and led them to the World Series, but was traded to the Mariners when the Phils acquired Roy Halladay.  I'm still not sure why they did not just keep both guys at the time, but that's not the point now.  Lee was bummed to be traded by the Phillies, but according to these new reports, he enjoyed his time there.  One rumor said that the Phillies would only be willing to go four or five years on a contract for Lee.  Another said they would have to trim payroll to get him by trading away pitcher Joe Blanton, who's owed $12 million over the next two seasons.

During the Winter Meetings, the Boston Red Sox played the role of "mystery team" when they were the first to offer a seven-year contract to Lee.  However, it was just a ploy to get the Yankees to up their offer and spend as much money for as long as possible.  Those teams do that to each other every year.  The Red Sox offer was the longest at the time it was made, but was for significantly fewer dollars, and was just used by the agent to get the Yankees to max out their offer.

It doesn't look like this will all be resolved tonight, but tomorrow might be decision day.  One thing is for sure, he's not going to have an hour-long special on ESPN to tell us he's going to play for the Miami Heat.