SOT Holy Crap the Phillies Got Cliff Lee- Best Starting 4 Pitchers Ever??

[kcohen]

Yes Mike. I thought of that after I hit send. Phils fans should thank Werth for freeing up that salary. As to how this rotation compares historically, at least on paper - must be top three or four. Maybe at the top if Hamels reverts to form. Comparable rotations that come to mind would be Feller-Lemon-Garcia-Wynn, Ford-Lopat-Reynolds-Raschi, and Spahn-Sain-rainout-rainout.

That said, there are no guarantees that they'll be able to outpitch the Giants' young guns in a seven game series.

Hope my bashing won't stop you from inviting me up for a game someday.

Ken

[Griffins]

Palmer-McNally-Cuellar- Dobson wasn't too shabby either, at least for Dobson's one big season.

[M's_Fan]

A question to you Phillies fans from an uninterested 3rd party-

The problem in last season's postseason wasn't pitching, it was hitting. Now you've lost Werth and added one of the greatest pitchers of our era, but do you really think you can go head-to-head with the Red Sox lineup? I would be excited if I were you, but you should temper your enthusiasm, as your batting lineup has some questions to answer.

That said, I'm glad to get Lee out of the American League. He could have created a dynasty by signing either with Texas or the Yankees. I think Texas will be okay but the Yankees are getting older every year and Cashman can't seem to bring in the free agents like he used to. They have CC and Hughes and it goes nowhere from there, I bet Pettite retires now too.

[tbob]

We all know that in best of 5 and best of 7 playoff series that the best team doesn't always win. I wouldn't go penciling in the Phils and Red Sox just yet. Injuries, chemistry issues, momentum, just plain luck, etc. can all play a part.
It's a long season and although both are favored to win their respective leagues, stranger things have happened, and happened many times as we all know. My favorite examples are these: the hitless wonder White Sox, the 1914 Boston Braves, and does anyone really think the Minnesota Twins in 1987 were the best team in baseball with a pitching staff of a young Frank Viola, Bert Blyleven who was past his prime, a mediocre at best Les Straker and an over the hill Joe Niekro? Don't go rushing out to Vegas just yet

[tbob]

As a Twins fan I am excited to see Lee in the National League. Personally I don't think the Rangers will make the playoffs this year even from the weak AL West. The A's are going to be better, the Angels will bounce back although they don't appear to have done a thing yet to improve their team and the wild card is either going to come from the East or Central. The Yankees are going to have a fight on their hands against the Central runner-up for the wild card spot. The White Sox look stronger as do the Tigers and the Twins are the Twins, they'll be in the mix. If the Blue Jays somehow pick up a little more bullpen help and were able to sign Greinke, the Yanks might be in serious trouble.

[TexasLeaguer]

1948 Indians: Feller, Paige, Lemon, Bearden

1906-07 A's: Coombs, Waddell, Bender, Plank

1995 Braves: Maddux, Glavine, Smoltz, Avery

[ChiefBenderForever]

A lot of pressure on the Phillies can they live up to the hype ? I like the Red Sox but they won't even make the playoffs next year.

[Anthony S.]

I think Halladay's last nine seasons have been a fluke. He's not that good.

[vintagecpa]

As a Braves fan, I've certainly heard better news before. It will be interesting to see how many wins this team will get if everyone stays healthy. I'm not the biggest oswalt fan.

[vintagesportscollector]

There has a been a lot of talking about Lee walking away from big bucks, but unless I am missing something, I don’t see how that is quite the case. IMO this was a no brainer for Lee, if he wanted to pitch in Philly. The media is spinning the less money angle, because it makes for a dramatic story, but talk about him forgoing big bucks is just not the reality. He can easily earn the amount of the Yanks contract over the 7 year period. Yankees were guaranteeing 154M for 7 years. Lee’s Philly deal is 120M for 5 years (which is more annually per year), and includes an easily reachable vesting option for a sixth year for $27M. That’s 6 years for $147M.

Yes, technically he is guaranteed more, but if he vests for the 6th year in Philly, he was only guaranteed $7M more for the 7th year – which is nothing. He can limp up to the mound in the 7th year for $7M. He can easily sign an extension or a new contract after the 5th year with the Phills and achieve as much, if not more, than the Yanks deal. If he stays healthy – this was a no brainer.

[timzcardz]

Originally Posted by Anthony S.

I think Halladay's last nine seasons have been a fluke. He's not that good.

DAMN YOU!!!!

I just spit my lunch all over the monitor!

[mr2686]

I think when all is said and done, the Yankees will be happy they didn't spend that money on Lee. He's a nice pitcher that's done pretty well in the post season, but he's not worth that type of money. I think they could get similar performance by spending less money and convincing Pettitte to pitch another year...then spend a little money on some solid innings eaters and bench help.
Not sure how Crawford will do for the Sox...don't think he's worth that type of money either, but Gonzalez is the real deal and will have a monster season in Boston.

[sox1903wschamp]

Originally Posted by JohnnyHarmonica

I like the Red Sox but they won't even make the playoffs next year.

Interesting statment that I disagree with. Playoffs, yes. World Series? Not sure. Too many variables that Bob stated above in a short 5 and 7 game series. Especially the ALDS with a best of 5. 162 games to get to a best of 5, very scary. Time will decide.