Phillies

Phillies are Finalists to Land Cliff Lee

By Kyle Scott

Published: Dec 13th, 2010 · 9:28 PM EST

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"You see, CC, it's the Phillies.  It's always been the Phillies."

The Phillies are indeed the mystery team in on the Cliff Lee sweepstakes.

Ken Rosenthal confirmed that the Phillies were the "mystery team" in the running for Cliff Lee. [FOX Sports]

The Phillies are still bidding for free-agent left-hander Cliff Lee, according to a source with direct knowledge of the negotiations. 

The extent of the Phillies’ involvement is not known, but as of 6:30 p.m. ET Monday, the source described them as “not out.”

“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.

Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com says Lee is close to making a decision: 

Free-agent pitcher Cliff Lee is close to a decision on selecting a new team and the Phillies are one of three finalists along with the Yankees and the Rangers, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

Of course, none of this means he is coming here.  But as Jon Heyman just pointed out, even though the Phillies offer is likely less than the Yankees, Cliff Lee LOVED Philly.  

How would they come up with the money?  It looks like the Phils are trying to move Joe Blanton's bloated contract ($8.5 million a year, next two years) to add onto the $16 million a year they had available for Werth.

It's getting crazy, folks.  There's even a "private jet theory" from a Rangers blog, which has a Cessna Citation flying from Lee's home (Little Rock) to Dallas.  Although, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News says there is no confirmation Lee is in Texas.

If Lee were to take less money to come here, he would go down as one of the most beloved players to ever play in Philly.  Or, this could be the biggest cock tease ever.

Roy, Cliff, Roy, Cole.  R2C2.  Make it happen.