There is good news in Philadelphia Phillies camp. In his return from elbow strain that ended his 2014 season in late July, Phillies left-hander Cliff Lee proclaimed his elbow "felt good, felt normal" after his workout at Spring Training Wednesday morning.
MLB.com's Todd Zolecki reports that Lee faced hitters for the first time since his elbow injury, and Zolecki quoted the pitcher discussing his progress and his throwing program. In addition to good and normal comments, Lee also declared "No complaints" in describing his condition. Zolecki then added more from the southpaw discussing his throwing program and schedule. Said Lee,
"I don't know what the schedule says. I know we discussed just easing into it, making sure we don't do anything stupid early. I had two days in between bullpens, where everyone else had a day. Trying to make sure you're better safe than sorry early. But everything feels good."
Lee battled the elbow strain that ended his 2014 season just days after returning from the 60-day disabled list because of left forearm strain. The two injuries combined to limit Lee to only 13 starts. His final line was 4-5, 3.65 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, and 72 strikeouts in 81 1/3 innings. He cruised through April and May before the injuries hit him. He was 3-4 with a 2.14 ERA (not counting his March 31 start) for a low-scoring Phillies team. After returning from the forearm strain, though, he allowed nine earned runs in 13 1/3 innings over three starts before his season ended. Now that he is healthy, both Lee and the Phillies expect the 36-year-old to pitch more like the 2008 A.L. Cy Young winner or at least the four-time All-Star of recent years.
The news is good for the Phillies in one of two ways. First, should they decide to hang onto him, Lee can help the Phililes win or stay close in the games he starts. Speculation, however, continues to grow regarding a potential trade even before the regular season begins. VAVEL's Dan Schmelzer recently discussed a likely trade and indicated that the Chicago Cubs are a team with major interest in acquiring Lee as they stop rebuilding and attempt to start winning. Many other teams will also have significant interest and the willingness to offer the Phillies some highly-ranked prospects -- of which the Cubs have an abundance.
Zolecki also notes that Lee "will have plenty of scouts on hand" when he pitches Spring Training games. An interested general manager, though, will need to work out a deal that justifies acquiring a $25-million salary for 2015 and a potential $27.5-million salary (or a $12.5-million buyout) option year for 2016. That option year becomes guaranteed if he pitches 200 innings this year and does not finish the season on the disabled list because of his left arm or elbow again. If he pitches 200 innings, then the vesting will almost certainly occur unless the injury happens in September. By that time, though, the rosters expand, and the team would not need to use the disabled list. Doing so would certainly make the transaction a purely financial move.