I know it probably wont happen, but I feel like I should write this now in case it DOES happen (and while I'm all emotional about it). Jayson Stark the "unbiased" baseball writer for ESPN - who just happened to write a book about the 2008 Phillies - is reporting that Cliff Lee could possibly sign with the Phillies instead of the Rangers or Yankees. As a retort, I will write this from the point of a Mets fan who may or may not kill himself when we finish in last place this season.
Theoretically, this signing makes sense, the Phillies were an NLCS team the last 3 years and already have a rotation with 3 pitchers who have been number 1 starters for other teams within the last 3 years (Hamels, Oswalt, and of course, reining Cy Young award winner Roy Halladay). By signing with the Phillies Lee would be going against the grain of free agency in the last few years, shunning over $50 million from the Yankees and Rangers to sign with a team that would probably have 1:8 odds to win the World Series next year. Hell, in July I even gave Kudos to a certain basketball player named LeBron for essentially doing the same thing.
But perhaps, here in lies why Lee shouldn't sign. Would this not be the equivalent of James and Wade teaming up? Halladay and Lee are UNQUESTIONABLY two of the top 4 pitchers in the game right now and Oswalt is probably top 20. Hamels - if you he ever allegedly gets another case of PEDs - would be up there too. This would be a monopoly. If I were the Phillies I would just have a four man rotation. Lee and Halladay could probably each win 30 games if they were starting 40 per year. The National League is screwed and so is parity. I demand that ESPN has daily off season coverage (ala the Heat Index) for the Phillies and the misery that Lee signing in Philly would cause the sport of Baseball. EVERYBODY that's not a Philly fan better be up in arms.
Yet, they wont be. For some reason this fiasco doesn't translate to baseball like it does in basketball. Lee is LeBron (same letter of the alphabet, obvious comparison) and Halladay is LeBron - let's see some teeth people! This is the vampire era, I know we've all been practicing in the mirror. Maybe baseball is more of an individual sport, where one player has less of an impact, but if the Phillies are throwing Cy Young pitchers 3 out of every 5 games, thats a huge impact.
What I have failed to mention, probably due to the large ulcer forming in my stomach, is that the Phillies have probably the scariest offense in the league AND we're just voted as the top farm system in the majors. I'm not even sure I could compare this to the business world, but this is a monopoly in the scariest way possible. F it, I'll try. This would be like if Apple was able to somehow score the main developer of XBox and then became the biggest gaming company in the world in addition to basically everything else entertainment. We are all screwed.
As much as I hate the Yankees - Lee should go there because the Yankees will still find a way to lose. Lee might even regress to his Cleveland days because of CC "I said 100 McNuggets" Sabathia. I cant fathom why Lee would want to stay with the Rangers, there is no home town discount, he played there for 3 months. Lee is a smart man, he already excelled in Philly and now he wouldn't even have as much pressure and I'm worried that this "intelligence" rarely found in baseball players, will cause him to make a decision that will ensure the Mets (and lets face it, the rest of the NL) don't see the playoffs for a solid 3 years. Meanwhile, I can't wait for the Mets to shell out $83 million to Chris Young over 5 years in attempt to counter. I dont like following baseball in March and I will hold my breath until then and hope that maybe the sports gods skip 2011 baseball and go right to football.
The Get Up Kids - Holy Roman
Valid points but a few points of clarification:
ReplyDelete1-Did you watch the Phillies offense this season? I know the final total numbers were good, but it was not a good lineup and they lost their RH protection. Some guys should improve but it was a good season for the lineup last year.
2-Their farm system is not the top's in baseball, anymore, after all their trades. Lots of talent in A-ball but that can go either way right now.
3-Let's not be so quick to rule out an Oswalt trade. After last offseason's blockbuster companion deals for with Lee and Halladay, it is possible.
4-Everyone thought the Phillies were unbeatable last October and they didn't get the hardware. They still have to play the games.
Point 1 should be it was not a good season for the lineup last yr.
ReplyDeleteThe Mets couldn't win this division when the Phillies didn't have Halladay, Oswalt and Lee. Now at least you won't get your hopes up.
ReplyDeleteYour nickname for CC had me laughing in line at Starbucks. Everyone wants to see what was funno so now you have some new fans in Erie. Well done.
ReplyDeleteNice post, I also enjoyed the nickname for CC. And Cliff Lee taking his talents to southeastern PA isn't even close to the LeBron charade. +1 for the Boss' #4
ReplyDeleteRJ - First off, I can't even fathom why you are arguing against this. Maybe you dont want to count your chickens before they hatch but by GOD. COUNT THEM.
ReplyDeleteAs far as number 2 - http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/rankings/organization-top-10-prospects/2011/2611043.html - as provided by our friend Mr. Rode.
Number 3 - I cant imagine the Phillies make this mistake again.
And Joe, how is it not even close? 2 of the top 10 difference makers in a major American sport take less money to join the same team, that on paper looks pretty unstoppable. As I pointed out, no one will compare the two, because baseball is baseball and white people mostly hate the NBA and hate the decision.
There are some obvious parallels.
Completely agree with Joe. Superstars joining forces happens all the time in baseball. It also wasn't a planned thing. The Phillies traded Lee away so they could sign Halladay. It's not as if Roy and Cliff are best buddies and lobbied to play together like d-Wade and LeBron did.
ReplyDeleteNo one will compare the two? Everyone is comparing the two (incorrectly) because they are both fresh in our minds.
Kelson, their minor league talent except for Brown is at least two years away. Minor league talent can go different ways in the next two years. The article mentions they have the top A-ball talent but nowhere mentions there were voted as the best system in baseball.
ReplyDeleteThe pitching staff should offset the loss of production in the lineup. But the lineup hinges on one huge question, which Jimmy Rollins shows up this year? That lineup was widely inconsistent for most of the year and pathetic in the postseason. As for why I am arguing against this, Kelson, see the 2010 NLCS for exhibits A-Z. Everyone thought the Phillies were a lock to get back to the Series and they didn't it. They still have to play the games.
Kelson, pretty much agree with you on all points (and kudos to the CC comment). Minus the ego and the hour long broadcast, I think this situation is quite similar. Lee went to where he knew he would have the best shot at winning the World Series. I like Cliff Lee, but it's a very similar feeling to when LeBron signed with the Heat. If he wins the championship, so what? The team is so stacked that it would be a failure if they didn't win it all. It's like Canada winning the Gold last year. Sure it took effort, but it's really not that impressive. Not too often can you say that about a championship.
ReplyDeleteFirst of I'd like to thank you for putting C.C. - Chubby Cheeks Sabathia on blast. That was awesome. But I have to respectfully disagree that this situation is anything close to the quitness's decision. I offa the following points:
ReplyDelete1. Cliff Lee didn't hold a one hour special to boost his ego so he can tell America he is taking his talents to Philli. He did it like a a professional should.
2. Lebum did infact take maximum money by going to Miami. He signed with Cleveland for the maximum deal, then was traded for about 5 draft picks over the next 6 years. Lee passed up on additional money to the tune of 30 mil (I think) from the bronx bomba's....
3. Baseball and basketball can not be compared. Baseball is far more of an team sport. A batta gets a chance at the plate 1/9 times. While a balla has the opportunity to score on every possession. Rarely will a baseball player single handily win the game out right. In most cases its when a pitcher goes Roy Halladay and throws a no-hitter or perfect game, or even a shutout... Or if a player has a 4-4 day at the plate with 2 dongs, and 5 ribbies. These occurrences happen, but not as often as a star basketball player taking over the last shots at the end of the game. Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern conference finals comes to mind when Lebum scored Cleveland's final 25 points and 29 of the last 30 to clinch the victory over Detroit. (One of the happiest moments in my sports history, I might add)
3. You alluded to this point briefly. But I think it supersedes my point 2 by a lot. A starting pitcher only gets to play 1 out of 5 games. He is out of the lineup for roughly 80% of the games. He has no control of games he is not pitching in. Even if Lee were to go undefeated and win every game he pitched he would account for only 35 wins. There are still 50 more games that need to be won for his team to even make the playoffs. If he wants to make the playoffs and win championships he get help to do so. Lebron could have won a championship in Cleveland. He chose to take the cowahds way out. He couldn't handle the pressure of an entire city riding on his shoulders. He's legacy is tarnished. It reminds me of the sandlot quote "Heros will never be forgotten, but legends never die kid, follow your heart..."
Lebron followed his heart...and will never be a legend...
I would also add that LeBron left a team of nobodies to go to a team with Wade and Bosh. It's not like the Yankees wouldn't be World Series favorites with Cliff Lee in their rotation. Lee, CC and Phil "Marx thinks you should have won the Cy Young, MVP, Gold Glove, Silver Slugger, Hank Aaron and Comeback Player of the Year Awards" Hughes would have been a solid rotation with a still great lineup.
ReplyDeleteAlso, to echo Beantown's point, baseball and basketball are so different. We constantly see teams signing multiple Superstars to win a championship in baseball. Arizona had Schilling and Unit, Boston had Pedro and Schilling, Yanks scooped up Tex and CC. The list goes on.
Can I sue your blog for libel? I said he should have been on the All Star team since he was 11-2. That was the extent of it.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure Mike will agree with me that you touted him as the greatest pitcher to ever play the game.
ReplyDelete