One of the biggest questions going into the shortest winter ever for the Texas Rangers is whether ace left-hander Cliff Lee will be on the mound in five months, when they begin the 2011 season as defending American League champions.
“It goes without saying we want him here,” third baseman Michael Young said. “We want him pitching opening day for the Rangers next year.”
Texas defeated the New York Yankees in the AL championship series to get to its first World Series. Beating the deep-pocketed Yankees again—this time for free-agent Lee—could come at a very high cost.
Lee was traded July 9 from Seattle to Texas, his fourth team in less than year. This time, the 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner gets to decide where he will pitch.
“I know I enjoyed it from Day One ‘til now. It was a very fun ride and a great group of guys. I can’t say enough about that. It was very fun,” Lee said. “Right now, the season’s over. I’m going to spend time with my family, relax a little bit and that stuff will take care of itself later on.”
While Lee helped the Rangers get to the World Series, he lost both of his starts to the San Francisco Giants in the Fall Classic after looking invincible in the postseason until then. That included Game 5 on Monday night, a 3-1 loss in a rematch of the Series opener against two-time NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum.
Still, the Rangers got further than ever before in the franchise’s 50th season.
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