Phillies Pick Up Cliff Lee's $9M Option For 2010

Posted on November 6th, 2009 3:27 PM by Knuckles

In a move that is not surprising at all, the Philadelphia Phillies have agreed to pick up Cliff Lee's $9M option for the 2010 season, espn.com is reporting. Lee was acquired by the Phillies from the Cleveland Indians on July 29th and posted a 3.39 ERA in 12 starts while going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA during the post season.

Since winning the Cy Young in 2007, Lee has been one of baseball's best pitchers. He went 22-8 with a 2.54 ERA for the Indians in 2008 and finished 2009 with a 14-13 record and a 3.22 ERA combined over 22 starts with the Indians and 12 starts with the Phillies.

On the open market, Lee might have been able to command a CC Sabathia-like contract of $161M over seven seasons.