He’s back, Philadelphia. This instantly makes the Phillies the favorites to win the World Series in 2011. No, I mean it literally did. The Phillies are now 7/2 favorites. But enough about ‘Illadelphia.
As is the case with everything in baseball, this is really about the AL East.
This news may be as big as any of the “hot stove” news to come out of Boston or New York in December. That is saying a lot considering the splash the Red Sox have made. Boston will spend a quarter of a billion dollars this off-season when all is said and done. Yet, it is the non-ability of the Yankees to close on Lee that is just as good for the team on Yawkey Way.
Cliff Lee is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Yankees. Not only was he the best available pitcher, he is one of the best period. Not only is he one of the best hurlers but he is a lefty. Remember; the Red Sox are a predominantly left-handed team after the additions of Crawford and Gonzalez. It looks like Boston really dodged a bullet here.
That said, only a people as imbalanced as the Red Sox Nation could somehow turn this into a positive for the Yankees.
