Cliff Lee Wants To Win, And Do It In Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Cliff Lee doesn't just want to win, he wants to win in Philadelphia. Lee made that clear on Tuesday night after another dominant performance, and a win over the Nationals.
"I want to win. I signed to win here," Lee said. "If that was misconstrued that I want to play someplace else, that's not the case. I want to play here."
Lee told reporters last week when asked about trade rumors that his priority was playing for a winning team, and didn't specifically mention that the team had to be the Phillies. Lee's contract runs through 2015, and is worth $25 million annually. His name has been prevalent in trade rumors as the Phillies continue to struggle this season.
"I don't think anyone is happy with the way we've played," Lee said Tuesday. "That's basically all I was saying in Minnesota. I don't really care how that's taken, to be honest with you. That's how I feel. I don't read the newspaper or watch the sports show. I don't care how it's spun off. You can expect me to be honest. If that rubs people the wrong way, I don't really care."
Lee has been one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball this year, with a record of 9-2 and an ERA of 2.53. Lee has struck out 98 batters and walked 17 in his 15 starts.
