Coming into the season there weren't many who took Cliff Lee's AL Cy Young season last year seriously. Despite going an astounding 22-3 with a minuscule 2.54 ERA, people had Lee ranked way down the list of baseball's starting pitchers. The group of people that did not respect Lee included just about everyone from baseball insiders to the average fantasy junkies. I know he went dirt cheap in my fantasy league.That group of people who doubted Lee's abilities included myself. I thought he could be a low-end #2 or a pretty good #3 on someone's staff, but I did not see him coming close to duplicating his 2008 performance. Well, for the first month of the season, we were all thought we were right. Lee was 1-3 with an ERA over 5. He helped me win my fantasy league last year, but I was sure glad I avoided him this year!
Then, Lee starting turning his season around. His win-loss record stayed bad because the Cleveland Indians did not score him many runs, but he kept grinding and grinding and got his ERA under 3 for awhile. This is when I started to take a favorable notice. Lee could have clearly said the heck with it this season and really had a terrible year. He was pitching great, but he kept losing because of the inept Indian offense. On June 14th, when Lee shutout the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday Night Baseball, I realized that this guy was indeed an ace.
When the Philadelphia Phillies gave up their pursuit of Roy Halladay, they turned to Lee. The Phillies absolutely fleeced the Indians in that deal. They got him without giving up J.A. Happ, Kyle Drabek or any other of their top prospects. I don't know how the Phillies did it, but they did, and Lee has been the absolute perfect fit for them. He is 4-0 with two complete games and a dental floss thin 0.82 ERA since heading over to the Phillies. I love Halladay, but there is no way he could be doing a better job than Lee in this situation. Mark Shapiro, the Indians' GM, should be fired immediately for that trade.
When this season began there were quite a few pitchers I would have taken ahead of Lee, but at this moment, I can't think of too many. I guess you would take Johan Santana, Roy Halladay, and maybe a couple others, but the list is short. I was wrong, Lee is really, really good! What a deal for the Phillies! With Lee, the Phillies have an excellent chance to repeat as World Series champions. Now if they can get Cole Hamels and Brad Lidge back in order, they might be unbeatable. They have a tremendous offense, a deep rotation, and a team that just raises its game in the biggest of spots. Heck, I'll say it, the Phillies will repeat as World Series champions.
Pat Morgan
