The Philadelphia Phillies plan on keeping left-hander Cliff Lee and don’t plan on dealing him before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com:
The Phillies plan to keep Cliff Lee, and won't trade him before the Tuesday trade deadline, sources say.
It was reported earlier this week that following the Cole Hamels’ extension, the Phillies were expected to shop Lee this summer. The thought was that the Phillies wouldn’t want nearly $100 million in 2013 salary tied up in four players; Hamels, Lee, Ryan Howard and Roy Halladay.
However, Heyman reports team executives believe trading Lee "would potentially undo most or all the good that was done by extending" Hamels. Philadelphia’s plan is to build around their trio of great starters next year, according to Heyman.
The Phillies are still 14 ½ games behind the National League East-leading Washington Nationals and 9 ½ out of the final NL wild-card spot. Still, the club has won four straight and eight of their last 11.
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Should the Phillies shop Lee or keep the big three intact?
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