February 23, 2016
Back in November, the Philadelphia Phillies declined Cliff Lee’s 2016 option, effectively ending his second stint with the club. And according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, it appears that July 31st, 2014 will be the last time that Lee pitches in a Major League Baseball game:
Sounds like Cliff Lee’s career is over. His agent, Darek Braunecker, told me, “We don’t anticipate him playing at this point.”
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) February 23, 2016
Previously, Darek Braunecker said that it would take “a perfect fit” for Lee to return to the majors, as the 37-year-old lefty has supposedly become comfortable hanging back with his family in Arkansas. The latest development would indicate that Lee isn’t being offered the type of financial commitment that he would jump at.
Lee is receiving a $12.5 million buyout from the Phillies this season. If he does call it quits, Lee finishes his career with a 143-91 record and 3.52 ERA. In five seasons with the Phillies, he finished 48-34 with a 2.94 ERA and patently absurd 6.56/1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
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