It’s all but official. Cliff Lee will not be in a Texas Rangers uniform next season. Lee will be headed back to one of the other four teams he pitched for between 2009 and 2010: the Philadelphia Phillies.
Citing industry sources, T.R. Sullivan reported that the Rangers were informed of Lee’s decision to sign with Philadelphia on Monday night. It had been widely believed that Lee would be deciding between offers from Texas and New York for his 2011 and beyond destination, but instead he’ll be headed back to Philadelphia.
Lee will join a rotation that already boasts Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels. It is believed that Lee is leaving upwards of 70 million dollars on the table to return to the organization that traded him to Seattle last winter.
Since Texas offered Lee arbitration, they will receive Philadelphia’s first round draft selection next June as well as a sandwich round pick.