PHILADELPHIA (AP) The Philadelphia Phillies have picked up
Cliff Lee's $9 million option for 2010.
The team announced the expected move on Friday, two days after
losing the World Series to the New York Yankees. Lee's contract
expires after next season, though general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.
said the team is open to signing the star left-hander to a
long-term deal.
Lee, 31, was acquired from the Cleveland Indians on July 29 for
four minor leaguers, and quickly became Philadelphia's ace. Lee
posted a 3.39 ERA in 12 starts for the Phillies, then went 4-0 with
a 1.56 mark in five postseason outings, including 2-0 in the World
Series.
Lee might command a deal similar to the seven-year, $161 million
contract the Yankees gave C.C. Sabathia.
Lee told MLB.com on Thursday that he's interested in staying
with the Phillies but had not given much thought to his contract.
The Phillies have until Monday to decide whether to pick up a $5
million option on third baseman Pedro Feliz, who batted .266 with
12 homers in 2009, hitting mostly seventh in the lineup.
''He had a solid year for us,'' Amaro said. ''I like the man
personally. He's a great person, a great teammate, but I also
believe in trying to improve and change can be for the better. It
doesn't necessarily mean we're going to, but it's something that
we'll look into.''
Not picking up Feliz's option doesn't prevent the Phillies from
re-signing him.
With Lee in the fold next season, the Phillies have $104.5
million committed to 12 players, and are expected to give raises to
four salary-arbitration eligible players: Shane Victorino, Joe
Blanton, Carlos Ruiz and Chad Durbin. Amaro suggested that the
team's 2010 payroll will be similar to last season's, somewhere
between $130 million and $140 million.
If the Phillies decline the option on Feliz, they will have
eight potential free agents, including Pedro Martinez, Brett Myers,
Scott Eyre, Chan Ho Park and Matt Stairs.
Amaro wouldn't rule out bringing any of them back. Martinez will
be an interesting decision for the Phillies, who have five starters
under contract Lee, Cole Hamels, Blanton, J.A. Happ and Jamie
Moyer plus young pitchers such as Kyle Drabek and Kyle Kendrick
waiting for their shot.
Martinez helped his prospects by going 5-1 with a 3.63 ERA in
nine regular-season starts.
''We're still assessing what to do on our free agents,'' Amaro
said.
NOTES: The Phillies announced that Eyre, 37, had surgery to
remove ''floating bodies'' in his left elbow. The left-hander
pitched through it in the final month of the regular season and the
postseason. Eyre has said he will either pitch for the Phillies or
retire. ... Closer Brad Lidge had his right elbow examined by team
doctors, who also examined Raul Ibanez's troublesome groin and
abdomen. Ibanez spent nearly a month on the disabled list earlier
this season, and batted .232 in the second half of the season. He
may need surgery.
(Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)