YosemiteSam
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I think the Rangers made the right decision. Seven years was just too long and too much money.
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ARLINGTON -- The Rangers could have had pitcher Cliff Lee back in their rotation next season, but they weren't willing to do a seven-year guaranteed contract with him.
Club officials said Tuesday they have reason to believe Lee would have accepted a seven-year deal to return to Texas. The offer was on the table and the Rangers walked away. That's why Lee will be pitching for the Phillies next year and the Rangers will have to settle for two compensation picks in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft for losing their No. 1 starter.
"It would have been a matter of saying yes on terms we weren't comfortable with," CEO Chuck Greenberg said Tuesday morning. "He was willing to be with the Rangers but it was beyond the aggressive parameters we were operating under. We didn't think it was in the best long-term interests of the organization.
"We were very aggressive and willing to step out. But along with being aggressive, we did not want to put this franchise back in a position where it was for a number of years before we bought it."
The Rangers went into the process not wanting to go beyond five years. They were willing to go to six years at $138 million (significant money deferred) and a vesting option, even though they were uncomfortable with the idea from the beginning. But they drew the line at going seven years.
Complete Story
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ARLINGTON -- The Rangers could have had pitcher Cliff Lee back in their rotation next season, but they weren't willing to do a seven-year guaranteed contract with him.
Club officials said Tuesday they have reason to believe Lee would have accepted a seven-year deal to return to Texas. The offer was on the table and the Rangers walked away. That's why Lee will be pitching for the Phillies next year and the Rangers will have to settle for two compensation picks in the 2011 First-Year Player Draft for losing their No. 1 starter.
"It would have been a matter of saying yes on terms we weren't comfortable with," CEO Chuck Greenberg said Tuesday morning. "He was willing to be with the Rangers but it was beyond the aggressive parameters we were operating under. We didn't think it was in the best long-term interests of the organization.
"We were very aggressive and willing to step out. But along with being aggressive, we did not want to put this franchise back in a position where it was for a number of years before we bought it."
The Rangers went into the process not wanting to go beyond five years. They were willing to go to six years at $138 million (significant money deferred) and a vesting option, even though they were uncomfortable with the idea from the beginning. But they drew the line at going seven years.
Complete Story
