There has a been a lot of talking about Lee walking away from big bucks, but unless I am missing something, I don’t see how that is quite the case. IMO this was a no brainer for Lee, if he wanted to pitch in Philly. The media is spinning the less money angle, because it makes for a dramatic story, but talk about him forgoing big bucks is just not the reality. He can easily earn the amount of the Yanks contract over the 7 year period. Yankees were guaranteeing 154M for 7 years. Lee’s Philly deal is 120M for 5 years (which is more annually per year), and includes an easily reachable vesting option for a sixth year for $27M. That’s 6 years for $147M.
Yes, technically he is guaranteed more, but if he vests for the 6th year in Philly, he was only guaranteed $7M more for the 7th year – which is nothing. He can limp up to the mound in the 7th year for $7M. He can easily sign an extension or a new contract after the 5th year with the Phills and achieve as much, if not more, than the Yanks deal. If he stays healthy – this was a no brainer.
Last edited by vintagesportscollector; 12-14-2010 at 01:02 PM.
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