joe table wrote:Just realized how much better this is than trading half our Lakewood prospects for 2 years of Greinke. We get a guy who is clearly better and don't touch the farm

FTN wrote:I glanced at the thread on Fugees.

And I think this is the single greatest thing about them. They are convinced that in 2 years, the Phillies franchise will just fold when Utley/Howard/Halladay/Rollins are older. They don't consider that we're going to be running a $150M+ payroll for the foreseeable future. And that we have a ton of talent in the pipeline that is 3-4 years out. And that with our huge financial resources, we'll just keep trading for superstars.

They have this notion that we'll wilt and their dynasty will begin. Its funny. I almost want to explain it to them, but the surprise in 3 years will be more fun if we don't tell them now.

The Yankees, meanwhile, had pinned their entire offseason on Lee and the assumption that their dollars could lure him to the Bronx. Not since Greg Maddux in 1993 has a highly sought free agent turned them down for a team the player thought was a better fit. In the second half of last season and in the playoffs, New York's biggest need was clearly the lack of another reliable starter, and Lee not only fit that bill but also was a Yankee-killer, so signing him meant not having to face him either.

Lee had undoubtedly deserved this opportunity to be a free agent, both in the literal sense that he had completed enough service time by the rules of the collective bargaining agreement and in the figurative sense that his performance had warranted a seniority of sorts, that he should be able to choose his next baseball home.
In fact, when asked about his future destination shortly after the Rangers lost this year's World Series, Lee said, "Free agency's an earned right, and I have to take advantage of that."
Everyone's interpretation of those words was that Lee was ready to take advantage of the lavish proposals that would soon be sent his way, extracting every dollar he could from the highest bidder. He wasn't moving his family out of their home in Arkansas, so it became easy to deduce that he'd make as much money as he could wherever he could and import it back.

But doing so, as it turned out, sold his decision-making short as, six weeks later, Lee sold himself short, by accepting the smaller offer.
There is no mistaking that Lee's decision will resonate with fans for years to come. He rejected almost of $35 million in order to feel comfortable about where he worked and choose a team where he knows he can compete for the World Series title he's been so close to but not yet won.
Fans clamor all the time for players not to be overcome with greed. Lee, of course, won't be begging any time soon, as the reported deal with the Phillies is for a higher per annum wage than either of his other offers, but the fewer guaranteed years and smaller overall value is no small matter. The sum he left on the proverbial table is many multiples of the lifetime earnings of most fans.

And so while Phillies fans will shower Lee with the devotion granted a conquering hero, they won't be the only ones cheering. Fans everywhere but Texas and New York will applaud him too.

Ken_Rosenthal Ken Rosenthal
Source: Lee will get $12.5M buyout after 5th year or $27.5M vesting option. Max value of deal $135M for 6 yrs. #Phillies #MLB

td11 wrote:

Ken_Rosenthal Ken Rosenthal
Source: Lee will get $12.5M buyout after 5th year or $27.5M vesting option. Max value of deal $135M for 6 yrs. #Phillies #MLB