Lee Questions Rangers' Young Treatment

Cliff Lee was a beloved figure in his short time as a Texas Ranger — less than four months to be exact. He carried the Rangers to not only their first-ever playoff series win, but to their first World Series after being acquired shortly before the 2010 trade deadline, giving the Rangers their first bona fide ace pitcher.

Then he spurned the Rangers' flirtations that offseason and took less money to go to Philadelphia, one of his former teams, to form the greatest pitching rotation ever assembled.

That has yet to turn into much success for Lee and Phillies, but this past offseason, the Phillies got another former Ranger in the form of "Mr. Ranger" himself, Michael Young.

Lee sounded off about his thoughts on how the Rangers handled Young over the final few years of his Texas tenure, which almost saw him traded prior to the 2011 season before he had a career year.

“He was the heart and soul of that team and I think they borderline took him for granted there,” Lee told reporters in Clearwater, Fla., where the Phillies are conducting their spring training.

Lee went on to question some of the Rangers' moves since he's left the club, most notably the deal the Rangers made to send Young to Philly in return for a couple of relievers, including Josh Lindblom, who should make the Rangers out of spring training.

“You never know what they are thinking or their motives behind some of those things,” Lee said. “You don’t really have to understand it. They’ve got their reasons and they’ve got their theories on their team and they have a right to do whatever they want, really, as an organization.

Sports Connection

Connecting you to your favorite North Texas sports teams as well as sports news around the globe.

Michael Porter Jr. defends brother amid NBA investigation for gambling allegations

Dodgers extend catcher Will Smith on 10-year deal as spending spree continues

“But in my opinion, you want guys like Michael Young around and you want him to be happy and you want to let him go out there and do what he was.”

Is Lee right? Should he keep his mouth shut about the Rangers? Do you still love him?

Copyright FREEL - NBC Local Media
Contact Us