The winter meetings for the Boston Red Sox could not have gone any better. Not because they pulled off a deal for slugging stud Adrian Gonzalez without giving up their prospect of the future. Not because they stole Crawford from the Angels in free agency. But because for the first time in a long time, Cliff Lee proved to the Yankees it isn't just about money. Unlike C.C who didn't want to play in New York but couldn't turn down all those zero's, ditto Teixeria. Lee didn't want to be a part of what is turning out to be a bridge year for the Yankees. The left side of the infield is getting older and older. Jeter had a tumultuous off-season after a season in which he had his worst fielding percentage of his career and his worst batting average since his rookie debut in which he played only 15 games. As much as the Sox success makes Boston fans happy, nothing makes Red Sox fans smile ear to ear like watching the Yankees fail. Usually the Red Sox and the rest of the league watch Brian Cashman take his wallet out and ask who has got the biggest? Like a flock of rock groupies waiting to get into the VIP room; free agents ohh and ahh over Cashman's giant wad. Not Cliff Lee. It was more than money for Cliff, he loved Philadelphia the first time around and would take a pay cut to play there. Now the Yankees rotation is listed as Sabathia, Hughes, Pettite,and fourth pitcher Ivan Nova. Nova is 1-2 career with a 4.50 era, I think I would rather have Mr.Lee.
The off-season has almost made a Red Sox vs. Phillies world series match-up inevitable. The addition of Lee for the Phillies might give them the best rotation in the last 20 years. Their rotation includes the top right and left handed combo in all of baseball and maybe ever. It is strike out city with Doc Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, Hamels, and Happ. An unbelievable rotation. Yet, a lot can happen between now and October. There is one thing that is for sure, Cliff Lee won't be wearing pinstripes anytime soon.
Rejoice Sox fans, rejoice.
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