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Phillies GM on Lee: 'He wants to be on a club that wants to win'

Bill Streicher / USA TODAY Sports

As the Philadelphia Phillies set off on the path to rebuild, moving starter Cliff Lee and his contract would be a step in the right direction. 

The 36-year-old has one-year, $25 million remaining on his deal with a vesting option for 2016, and both sides appear eager to make a move.

“I think he wants to win and I think he wants to be on a club that wants to win,” general manager Ruben Amaro told Matt Lombardo of NJ Advance Media. “Much like others I’ve spoken to he’d rather be in that position here, but we’re in a different stage. But just like anyone else, Cliff will pitch and I expect him to pitch like a champion. Our minds are open on everything.”

While the left-hander won't command the same return that the Phillies would land for teammate Cole Hamels, Lee still provides value for a team looking for a middle of the rotation arm.  

Over the past three seasons, Lee owns a 24-22 record and 3.11 ERA, in addition to a 1.11 WHIP and 501 strikeouts in 515 innings. However, Lee was limited to 81 1/3 innings in 2014 thanks to an elbow injury that's shelved him since August. 

“Originally we planned to have him throwing in mid-November, but we moved it back because he had been sick for about a week,” Amaro said. “His strength is back now. His elbow feels good. He’s pain-free and doing great, ready to begin his normal throwing program on December 1.

“He’s been able to do all his strength work and he hasn’t felt it at all. We’ll know more when he starts throwing.”

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