He’s back

Cliff Lee with the Phillies

Almost a year to the day after the Phillies trade him to Seattle for three nondescript prospects in outfielder Tyson Gilles, and pitchers Phillippe Aumont and JC Ramirez, All-Star pitcher and onetime Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee returns to Philadelphia 15 years ago today as a coveted free agent.

Lee, who stars in the minor leagues for the Class AA Harrisburg Senators in 2002 the Montreal Expos trade him in midseason to Cleveland, signs a five-year deal with Philadelphia worth $120 million.

Lee goes 37-25 for the Phillies in 93 starts from 2011-2013, but the contract quickly becomes a bad one for Philadelphia as an elbow injury limits Lee to 13 starts in 2014 and none in 2015.

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