Phillies Keep One, Dump One

The Philadelphia Phillies are wasting no time making personnel moves. Not even two full days since they lost to the New York Yankees in the World Series, they’ve picked up one players option and informed another he’ll be let go. The two players? Cliff Lee and Brett Myers.

General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr made a no-brainer move in picking up the option on ace Cliff Lee. Lee was absolutely magnificent for the Phillies since being traded from the Cleveland Indians. Lee was 7-4 over 12 starts with a 3.39 era as a member of the Phillies. In the playoffs he took his game to a whole new level, giong 4-0 over 5 starts, with a 1.56 era and 33 strikeouts over 40 innings.

Numbers like that make it pretty easy for a team to pick up a players option. The real question this offseason will be do the Phillies get a contract extension done with the 31 year old lefty. Rumor has it he’s looking for a deal similar to his former teammate CC Sabathia.

The Phillies Zone is reporting that Amaro has also informed Brett Myers that he will not be returning next year. Myers is a free agent this off season and has a troubled past with the team, so it’s really not a surprise.

He’s spent his entire eight year career with the team after being a first round draft pick. He put up solid middle of the rotation type numbers with a career 4.40 era. His main problem in Philly was his mental state and injuries, so it seems the combination of the two have made expendable.

Unfortunately, Myers will never know the true reason for his exit as Ruben didn’t give him one. “I was just like, `OK, thanks for putting up with my (stuff),’ ” Myers said. “He thanked me and wished me and my family well.”

At the moment, no one knows what role he can fill at the big league level. He was an average starter and an average closer. Personally, I think he can be a middle of the rotation starter for a team on the cusp of the playoffs. A team like the Milwaukee Brewers, the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, maybe even the New York Mets?

So yea, I believe he’ll have plenty of options. Myers does have one message for all you Phillies fans. He’s now the enemy and wants to be treated like one.

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“I’ll miss the guys on the team and the fans who have supported me. Hopefully I’ll be playing against the Phillies and when I do I want the roughest treatment the fans can give me – when I’m pitching. I’m an opposing player – you have to give it to me.”

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Again, the Phillies have gotten off to a quick start in their attempt to make a third straight trip to the World Series. This weekend there will be more decisions, mainly Pedro Feliz’s option that has to be accepted or declined by Monday.

The most positive thing to me is they aren’t sitting back enjoying what they’ve accomplished lately, they’re moving forward and working towards a National League three-peat.