I guess that seals it. We had been speculating for a while (based on reliable information of course) that the Nationals were not going to be signing Cliff Lee. But now we can call it official, because Lee has a agreed to a five-year $120 million contract with the Phillies, the team that traded him away just about a year ago.
Lee turned down more money from the Yankees and the Rangers to join the Phillies, the team he went to the World Series with last year. The move will send shock waves throughout baseball. The Yankees and the Rangers must now scramble to find elite pitching, which likely means increased efforts to trade for Kansas City's Zack Greinke, the last really elite pitcher who is considered "available." Another option for those who missed out on Lee is Tampa Bay's Matt Garza.
We'll update the chase for Greinke, which the Nationals intend to be in on, as news becomes available.