An Early Christmas Present in Philly

It's been a while since I've posted on here but an event has recently occured that was so shocking that the full weight of it has yet to sink in. What is Troy, you ask. Well it's baseball of course.

The Phillies have brought cheer and warmth to the winter by coming out of NOWHERE to sign Cliff Lee. If you don't know who he is - he's an awesome pitcher, perhaps the best. Lee pitched for the Phils from July - October 2009 before being traded away for the 2010 season so that money could be freed up to sign Roy Halladay (the Phillies OTHER pitcher who just may be the best in baseball). It's a relief to see that the Phillies recognized their error in letting him go by going out and finding a way to bring him back. Then there's Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt who are also very, very, very good. Put simply, the Phillies pitching rotation is stacked. It's great. I know they haven't played a game of the 2011 season yet but on paper this rotation has the chance to be historically great. Two Cy Young winners, 3 guys who have had 20-win seasons, All 4 have strike-out/walk ratios that are near the top in baseball (and that happens to be my favorite stat, the one that I think is the most indicative of success). The 2011 Phillies are now the prohibitive favorite to go to the World Series next year.

But what pleases me the most is the fact that Cliff Lee didn't follow the dollar signs. Don't get me wrong he'll be getting a HUGE paycheck next year but he took $30 million LESS than his highest offer because he wanted to play in Philly, not in New York. Take it, Yankees! Additionally, the Phils signed him for 5 years out of free agency. The Phillies told Halladay that they wouldn't sign him (Halladay) for more than 3 because that was a trade deal and contract extension and the Phillies don't extend contracts for more than 3 years. Halladay, then could have been put off by the fact that Lee was offered 5 years. The Phillies were up front with Halladay and even consulted him before signing Lee to the longer contract to gauge his feelings. Halladay supported the Phillies move and didn't feel slighted. Halladay and Lee are two of the best ever but they are showing no sign of ego here. Lee taking less money to play for a team that he loves and Halladay being cool with Lee getting the longer contract. The success of the Phillies over the last 4 years has been team chemistry and a desire to win, AS A TEAM, at whatever cost to personal gain. It's on display again. Look out National League.