Cliff Lee: 5 Reasons New York Yankee Fans Should Relax about Him

If you search for "#clifflee" on Twitter, you will find an ongoing slew of tweets as folks await his long overdue decision about where he'll play in 2011.  While Ranger fans are certainly interested and hopeful, some Yankee fans seem despondent at the thought of the left-hander not coming to the Bronx.

Here are five reasons the Yankee faithful should just—as my daughter would say—"chillax!"

5. Bet on Burnett

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 19: A.J. Burnett #34 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Texas Rangers in Game Four of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 19, 2010 in the Bronx borough of New York City. The Rangers won 10-3. (P

No player is ever as good as his best season or as bad as his worst.  2010 was Burnett’s worst.  He posted a 5.26 ERA (his worst since 2001).  His career ERA is still a respectable 3.99, and he started 33 games for New York, only one shy of his career high.  There’s no guarantee, but the smart money will be on Burnett having a resurgent year in 2011.

4. The Numbers

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ARLINGTON, TX - NOVEMBER 01: Losing pitcher Cliff Lee #33 of the Texas Rangers looks on from the dugout against the San Francisco Giants in Game Five of the 2010 MLB World Series at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on November 1, 2010 in Arlington, Texas.

Lee’s 2.13 ERA for his postseason dominance jumps to a still respectable but less god-like 3.18.  His 2010 record was a “not-too-shabby” 12-9, and he dealt with back troubles while working with Texas.  While most teams would take those numbers, is that really what the Yankees want to spend $23 million-plus a year for?

3. Awesome Lineup.

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NEW YORK - OCTOBER 18: The New York Yankees and the Texas Rangers line up on the foul lines during the performance of the National Anthem prior to playing Game Three of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium on October 18, 2010 in New Yo

Derek Jeter (.348 OBP), Nick Swisher (.348 OBD), Mark Teixeira (33 HR), Alex Rodriguez (.506 SLG), Robinson Cano (.319 BA), Posada, Granderson, Cervelli and Gardner (47 SB).  Total value: $111.4 Million (That’s double most franchises, and we’re not even talking about a single pitcher).   Regardless of whom the Red Sox signed this offseason, a 2011 Yankee lineup will still be one of the premier orders in all of baseball.

2. CC Sabathia

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ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 22: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees looks on during batting practice prior to playing the Texas Rangers in Game Six of the ALCS during the 2010 MLB Playoffs at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on October 22, 2010 in Arlington

If Sabathia had put up a season in any other year like he did in 2010, he’d have run away with the Cy Young for the American League.  The statistical anomaly that was Felix Hernandez (Seattle) was a good choice for the award, but his 2.27 ERA, 232 Ks and 13-12 record were a fluke sort of season. Sabathia was the premier hurler of 2010 (21-7. 3.18 ERA, 197 Ks).

1. $213 MM Should Be Enough

The Yankees' projected payroll (without Lee) for 2011 is around $213 million.  They will be tops (duh) in the majors, a full $51 million ahead of Boston.  That is also a full $178 million ahead of the lowly Pirates.  Look at it this way:  If you were the Pirates owner and you were told that you could have $178 million added, per year, for the next decade, would you believe that another $23 million was an absolute necessity?