Merry Cliff-Mas!

[MsMarvel73]

[url="http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove10/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=5918008"]The Phils resign Cliff Lee[/url]


No, it wasn't a dream....


Do the Phillies, with Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, and Hamels, now have the best starting rotation in all of baseball?

[BrownsFan]

There's no question they have the best rotation in baseball. You could have made an argument for that without Lee but with Lee? It's unanimous.

It's insane really when you think about it... you don't even need the Roy Oswalt or Cole Hamels of old.. just quality starts with maybe a .600 record and you're a shoe-in for the playoffs. Lee and Halladay will get the innings and wear down teams keeping the bullpen fresh for the 3rd and 4th starters.

I have to wonder if something like this was potentially discussed when Lee was originally traded to the Mariners.. the possibility of him returning.

[MsMarvel73]

[quote name='BrownsFan' timestamp='1292338483' post='574677']
There's no question they have the best rotation in baseball. You could have made an argument for that without Lee but with Lee? It's unanimous.

It's insane really when you think about it... you don't even need the Roy Oswalt or Cole Hamels of old.. just quality starts with maybe a .600 record and you're a shoe-in for the playoffs. Lee and Halladay will get the innings and wear down teams keeping the bullpen fresh for the 3rd and 4th starters.

[b]I have to wonder if something like this was potentially discussed when Lee was originally traded to the Mariners.. the possibility of him returning.
[/quote][/b]


How could it have been, though? The Phils didn't have the salary available until Werth signed with the Nats (and they're still looking at trades). The stunning thing for me was just the fact that the Phils were sitting quietly on the side, whispering in Lee's ear the whole time...really out of the blue. And glad that the Phils were able to rectify their mistake of trading him in the first place.

[BrownsFan]

I think it's something that could have been lightly discussed but maybe didn't think could happen until the Werth signing.. which opened the door. With baseball you always have the salary "available" if you're willing to pay it ala the Yankees and Red Sox. The Werth signing just made it a more realistic possibility.

As far as a mistake goes I don't necessarily think it was.. Halladay and Lee are both great pitchers but if I had to pick one I'd take Halladay. Kudos to the Phillies though for getting Lee back because again.. sickest rotation in baseball.

[FerrariFan87]

I'm just ecstatic that the mighty Yankees were spurned! What a rotation in Philly ...

[MsMarvel73]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1292353250' post='575245']
[b]I'm just ecstatic that the mighty Yankees were spurned![/b] What a rotation in Philly ...
[/quote]


Oh I know...me too. The Yankees and their all mighty dollar got it stuck to them for once.

Trust me, from my friend in Philly who kept me awake later than I wanted to be awake this morning, Philadelphia baseball fans are rejoicing.

[Romo Ravens]

Epic fail for the Yankees, epic win for the Phillies. Love it

[thewarden86]

[quote name='Romo Ravens' timestamp='1292359671' post='575453']
Epic fail for the Yankees, epic win for the Phillies. Love it
[/quote]

Please. We'll see.

[Ed_Reed20]

Not only have the Yankees not signed Lee, have they signed any major player this off-season?

[codizzle]

Best rotation this year? On paper this could rival the mid 90's braves as possibly the greatest ever

[hawkprey]

Resign or re-sign?

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1292366013' post='575604']
Not only have the Yankees not signed Lee, have they signed any major player this off-season?
[/quote]

Russell Martin?

[FerrariFan87]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1292365676' post='575590']
Please. We'll see.
[/quote]

Sour grapes

[thewarden86]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1292367620' post='575654']
Sour grapes
[/quote]

Sour grapes? Did you see me put anywhere on here that I wanted him to begin with? Phillies haven't won a damn thing yet.

[ROH522155]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1292368012' post='575666']
Sour grapes? Did you see me put anywhere on here that I wanted him to begin with? Phillies haven't won a damn thing yet.
[/quote]

Somebody's a little grumpy

Imagine the Yanks rotation if Pettite retires and they make no more moves

C.C. Sabathia
Phil Hughes
A.J. Burnett
Sergio Mitre
Ivan Nova?

Hahaha the O's rotation might be better than that one....but I think Pettite will be back

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='FerrariFan87' timestamp='1292367601' post='575653']
Russell Martin?
[/quote]

He's not a force offensively.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='ravensorioleshoyas522155' timestamp='1292369741' post='575714']
Somebody's a little grumpy

I[b]magine (if) the Yanks[/b] rotation if Pettite retires and they [b]make no more moves[/b]

C.C. Sabathia
Phil Hughes
A.J. Burnett
Sergio Mitre
Ivan Nova?

Hahaha the O's rotation might be better than that one....but I think Pettite will be back
[/quote]

Read just the bold part. lol

[ROH522155]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1292372187' post='575749']
Read just the bold part. lol
[/quote]

Haha well what really can they do? I dont think theyre gonna bring back Pavano, they most likely wont be trading for Greinke so what else can they do?

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='ravensorioleshoyas522155' timestamp='1292373503' post='575784']
Haha well what really can they do? I dont think theyre gonna bring back Pavano, they most likely wont be trading for Greinke so what else can they do?
[/quote]

As Michael Imperioli would say, "Nothing...".

[thewarden86]

[quote name='ravensorioleshoyas522155' timestamp='1292373503' post='575784']
Haha well what really can they do? I dont think theyre gonna bring back Pavano, they most likely wont be trading for Greinke so what else can they do?
[/quote]


[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1292373743' post='575788']
As Michael Imperioli would say, "Nothing...".
[/quote]

Yanks haven't been the most successful team in sports by doing nothing. How about we wait and see for once rather than speculate?

[Ed_Reed20]

[quote name='thewarden86' timestamp='1292376068' post='575838']
Yanks haven't been the most successful team in sports by doing nothing. How about we wait and see for once rather than speculate?
[/quote]

I'm sure they'll do something; I was just trying to be funny.

[thewarden86]

[quote name='Ed_Reed20' timestamp='1292379434' post='575893']
I'm sure they'll do something; I was just trying to be funny.
[/quote]

See and I'm nervous and trying to hide it.