By Justin Worsley,
In a shocking twist, Cliff Lee didn't sign with the Texas Rangers or the New York Yankees, the long believed front-runners for his services. Instead, Lee took his talents to Eastern Pennsylvania and returned to the Philadelphia Phillies.
Lee, 32, has reportedly signed a five-year, $120 million deal with a player option for another year.
The lefty was a hired gun for the Phillies as they made a stretch for their second straight World Series appearance in 2009. The team, however, traded Lee to the Seattle Mariners in a four-team, nine player trade to bring Roy Halladay to Philadelphia.
Lee, the 2008 Cy Young award winner, was traded to the Texas Rangers and brought them to their first World Series appearance. He is expected to pitch second in the rotation behind Halladay, last season's Cy Young award winner. Roy Oswalt, Cole Hamels and Joe Blanton complete a rotation who have a combined record of 67-49 with 942 strikeouts. The only pitcher with an ERA higher than 3.20 was Blanton.
Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. will most likely look into trading Blanton to free up some money. Kyle Kendrick also pitched last season in Philadelphia and they have prospect Vance Worley in waiting.
The Yankees, who were in need of a second pitcher behind ace CC Sabathia, will most likely look into trading for Kansas City Royals Zack Greinke or Matt Garza, who plays for division rival Tampa Bay.
Texas will now be sent looking into several available free agents such as Carl Pavano or former Cy Young award winner Brandon Webb.
Lee was reportedly offered $127 million by Texas for six years and over $130 for New York for seven years.
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