4. Philadelphia Phillies
Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Long gone are the Fightin’ Phils of recent years, where the division title was almost guaranteed. The Phillies began an extensive rebuilding process during the offseason with the trades of longtime favorites Jimmy Rollins and Antonio Bastardo. More moves were expected by GM Ruben Amaro Jr., such as the departures of Cole Hamels, Jonathan Papelbon, and Cliff Lee.
None of those names listed have been traded from the Phillies’ ball club, and one of them is almost guaranteed not to be.
The aging star pitcher Lee experienced a torn flexor tendon early on this spring. Such an injury would normally require season-ending surgery, but Lee fears such an operation would also be the end to a career he desires to continue. Instead, the southpaw is pursuing a non-operative rehab approach that will sideline him until mid-June.
The writing on the wall was presented to Amaro Jr., but it was ignored despite the strong belief from the rest of the Phillies community that it was time to move on from their aging talent. Now that Lee is banged up, he holds zero trade value and is due a $25 million salary in 2015.
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