Phillies Make It Official: Cliff Lee Is Back
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Cliff Lee is officially a Philadelphia Phillie – again.
The ace lefthander was introduced by his new/old team Wednesday after his five-year, $120 million contract became official.
Lee is happy to be a member of the Phillies once again.
"I never wanted to leave this place in the first place," Lee told reporters at Citizens Bank Park. "To get an opportunity to come back and be a part of this team and this pitching rotation is going to be something that is historic, I believe. I can't wait to get to spring training and get this thing going."
Lee went 7-4 with the Phillies in 2009, in half a season, after being acquired from the Cleveland Indians. He was dominant that postseason, going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA.
But the Phillies dealt him to Seattle in the offseason. However, he says, he never held a grudge about being dealt.
"From the moment I got here, from the first day I knew it was something that was special and something that I enjoyed, and I wasn't sure if I was going to get another opportunity to come back or not," Lee said. "But the way things played out, I got that opportunity. And here I am."
Hear the entire press conference in this CBS Philly SportsPod ...
Lee, the 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner with Cleveland, joins a Phillies rotation that also features the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Roy Halladay, the 2008 World Series MVP in Cole Hamels, and Roy Oswalt, who has a career .644 winning percentage.
"That was the main thing -- getting a chance to be part of that rotation with this team and what they have kind of established in the NL East, being the leader there with this team. It was kind of a no-brainer for me," Lee said.
Lee went 12-9 in 2010 for the Mariners and the Rangers. He helped lead Texas to the World Series after getting traded from Seattle midseason.
Ruben Amaro Jr., the team's senior vice president and general manager, sat side-by-side with Lee during the Wednesday afternoon news conference announcing the deal.
According to the Phillies, Lee's contract has a vesting option for 2016 and includes an awards package.
Reported by Matt Leon, KYW Newsradio 1060.
