It appears as though the "mystery team" involved throughout the negotiations has snatched Cliff Lee (right) from the grasp of both the Texas Rangers and New York Yankees, and it's a team he's played for before - the Philadelphia Phillies. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum, File)Well, at least he didn't sign with the Yankees.
Various reports surfaced late Monday night that Texas Rangers' ace Cliff Lee is set to sign with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The left-hander Texas traded for at the deadline last season, and whom subsequently led the Rangers to their first World Series appearance, is expected to sign a five-year, $100 million contract with a player-option for a sixth year.
Lee will join an All-Star Phillies' starting rotation, led by another Cy Young winner in Roy Halladay, two-time 20 game winner Roy Oswalt and former World Series MVP Cole Hamels.
Sources say Texas still had a chance to sign Lee in the final hours, but wouldn't bite on a seven-year deal. The loss of Lee puts the Rangers in a difficult position, as the club must now scramble to find another top of the rotation starter in free agency or through trade in an effort not to squander the major strides this team made last season.
Here's a great piece from the DMN by Rangers beat writer Evan Grant detailing what may be the Rangers new course of attack.
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