Cliff Lee's name was tossed around before the trade deadline, and it's sticking around in the news after the trade deadline.
Amidst reports this week that the Phillies placed Lee on waivers and that the Dodgers subsequently claimed him, there's been speculation as to whether Philadelphia would elect to move the left-hander. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. wouldn't confirm whether the Dodgers claimed Lee, but apparently it doesn't matter.
"It's irrelevant," Amaro said, according to MLB.com "He's not going anywhere."
The Phillies technically could pull Lee off waivers, let him and his massive contract go to the Dodgers or try to work out a trade with Los Angeles. If Amaro's response is any indication, the Phillies are apparently leaning toward just pulling Lee off waivers, meaning nothing's changed.
Lee is just 2-6 with a 3.73 ERA this season, and there's been some concern as to whether this is a sign of things to come for the 33-year-old lefty. Skipper Charlie Manuel isn't too worried about Lee's struggles, though.
"He's still got it. It's still there," Manuel said. "It's just a matter of him getting it going consistently again. He hasn't lost anything. It's just that things haven't gone good for him this year, and at times, he's kind of made it tough on himself. He's had a rough year, but his talent is still there."
Lee is owed almost $95 million between now and 2015.
