Via Fox’s Ken Rosenthal:
The Phillies are still bidding for free-agent left-hander Cliff Lee, according to a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations.
However, Rosenthal goes on to say the Phillies’ assistant GM said earlier this month “that ship has sailed” in regards to the hunt for Lee. And here is what their GM had to say on the matter:
“If I were in or out, I wouldn’t be commenting at all, on or off the record,” Phillies GM Ruben Amaro said, citing his personal policy on free agents.
Hmm.
This report makes sense, though, as Lee had seemingly been mulling over just two teams’ offers this past weekend. The Rangers offered six years and the Yankees offered an array of deals that maxed out at seven years, $161 million.
It’s all about the money, stupid.
Either way, the Phillies joining the hunt is not good news for the Yankees. Their involvement likely drives up Lee’s price, as Jon Heyman cites Lee “LOVED” Philly.
But it’s good news for me since I don’t think the Yankees should sign Lee.
