Cliff Lee: You Gotta Be Kidding Me

Cliff Lee, how in the world have you done what you’ve done this season?

Okay fine, you did win 14 or more games from 2004-2006. Despite average strikeout numbers, you were a back end fantasy pitcher who made solid contributions every now and then.

Then you go get injured, and you spend almost the entire month of August 2007 in the minors. Come back up, make four relief appearances out of the bullpen.

Seriously, Cliff Lee has been nothing short of spectacular this season. A once low-end fantasy pitcher has turned into perhaps the best pitcher in the game. And a solid look at his statistics doesn’t lead me to believe that any of what he has done this season is possible.

22-2. 2.36 ERA. 4 complete games. 2 shutouts. 157 strikeouts to 28 walks.

Putting his accomplishments in even more perspective, he has accounted for 22 of the teams 72 wins. 30%! If Lee had not been in the rotation this year for the Indians, we could be talking about a team worse than the Kansas City Royals, who are currently last in the AL Central with a 62-84 record.

Talk about a contribution!

So what does this mean for Lee in 2009? Man, he has had a career season this year, but I still am incredibly skeptical of the guy. Skills like he has demonstrated simply don’t come out of nowhere. Cliff Lee will be taken very high in next years drafts, and he won’t be worth the selection.

Ever remember of a guy named Esteban Loaiza, and his career year with the White Sox at age 31? 21-9 record, 2.90 ERA, 207:56 K/BB ratio? It was a fluke season in the middle of a journeyman’s career.

Forget Cliff Lee for next year…if he can follow up with another strong year, maybe it’s time to reconsider his value. I’m not buying.

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