Reactions to Cliff Lee going to Philly

The biggest free agent this offseason for baseball was Cliff Lee and he finally made his decision on where he was going to go and he surprised a lot of people by choosing to return to the Philadelphia Phillies. He took less money and less years on a contract to return there, which is funny because Philly traded him believing he would ask for a massive contract. His return has set up what could potentially be one of the better baseball teams we have seen in years.

Just look at this rotation(plus last years stats)

Roy Halladay: 21-10, 2.44 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 250 IP (a perfect game and a no hitter)

Cliff Lee: 12-9, 3,18 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 212 IP

Roy Oswalt: 13-13, 2.76 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 211 IP
Cole Hamels:12-11, 3.06 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 209 IP

So if these guys were to replicate these stats they would total 58 wins and pitch around 882 innings. Plus you have to add to the fact that Cliff Lee missed some time with an injury and played about the first half of the season on the offensive inept Mariners and Oswalt pitched half of the season for a struggling Astros team, so their win numbers should increase. If these four guys stay healthy all year it will be amazing to watch. We just need to find out who their fifth stater is going to be because rumors are that Joe Blanton is on the move.

So what does this mean for the rest of the NL?

Well when you see that rotation plus their still very powerful batting lineup you have to be afraid. If this team is at full health the only way to beat them would be to have a great pitching performance from your starter plus clutch hitting because these guys won't give up many runs. The only team that shouldn't be too worried is the San Fransisco Giants. They beat the Phillies to get to the World Series and then beat Cliff Lee twice in the World Series. So you still have to say the favorite in the NL is the Giants, who have a very good pitching rotation of their own.

Lets dream for a second these two teams meet up in the playoffs in a seven game series again and look at the pitching matchups. (this assuming everybody is healthy and no trades are made)

Game 1: Halladay vs Lincecum
Game 2: Lee vs Cain

Game 3: Oswalt vs Sanchez

Game 4: Hamels vs Bumgarner

I've already wet myself at the thought of this happening.

As for the AL this news leaves the Yankees and Rangers to say, "what now?" as both teams were pushing hard to get Lee and now the options are not as numerous with most of the big name pitchers already gone. The Yankees rotation is looking thin, especially if Andy Pettite retires and who knows how AJ Burnett is gonna be this season. The same goes for the Rangers. They have a very good team, but Cliff Lee was a huge boost for them and without him they may not be the same. C.J. Wilson was so good for them last year and you can hope he only gets better and becomes the ace they will need.

Cliff Lee signing with the Phillies was a surprise and it affected a couple teams and potentially the entire National League. That pitching rotation for the Phillies is going to be sick and most importantly really fun to watch. I am so excited for baseball season already and its still only December.