That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

An early look at Phillies on 2020 Hall of Fame ballot

By John Town

PHILADELPHIA , PA - SEPTEMBER 07: Raul Ibanez #29 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a second inning homerun against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on September 7, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA , PA - SEPTEMBER 07: Raul Ibanez #29 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a second inning homerun against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park on September 7, 2011 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Len Redkoles/Getty Images) /
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Phillies
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 28: Starting pitcher Cliff Lee #34 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch against the New York Yankees in Game One of the 2009 MLB World Series at Yankee Stadium on October 28, 2009 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

Cliff Lee

Lee didn’t show much as a major leaguer until his fourth season in the bigs, finishing fourth in Cy Young voting in 2005 with the Indians. After two more years of struggles, he broke out in 2008, earning his first All-Star appearance and winning the AL Cy Young as he led the league in wins (22), win-loss percentage (.880), ERA (2.54), shutouts (two), ERA+ (167), fielding-independent pitching (2.83), home runs per nine innings (0.5), and walks per nine (1.4).

Lee was traded to Philadelphia at the 2009 trade deadline, propelling the team to their second straight World Series appearance. After the season, he was traded to Mariners, who then traded him to the Rangers, who went on the lose the World Series to the Giants.

Lee returned to the Phillies in the 2010-11 offseason, completing the “Phour Aces” rotation. He earned two more All-Star appearances, finished third in Cy Young voting in 2011, and finished sixth in Cy Young voting in 2013 as a Phillie.

In five seasons with the Phillies, he had a 2.94 ERA, 48-34 record, 12 complete games, eight shutouts, 132 ERA+, 813 strikeouts, and 124 walks. Over his entire 13-year career, he had a 3.52 ERA, 143-91 record, 29 complete games, 12 shutouts, 118 ERA+, 1824 strikeouts, and 464 walks. He earned four All-Star appearances and won one Cy Young and ERA title.

The biggest knock against Lee’s career is its length. He only appeared in 13 major-league seasons and was really only a full-time major-leaguer for 11 of them. A left common flexor tendon tear ended his career early in 2015, robbing him of a few more good seasons.

Due to his relatively short career compared to other Hall of Famers, he doesn’t rank well in JAWS. An average Hall of Fame starting pitcher has 73.4 career WAR, 50.1 seven-year peak WAR, and 61.8 JAWS. Lee only has 43.5, 39.8, and 41.7, respectively.

Lee’s most similar pitchers according to Baseball Reference include Roy Oswalt, who was just eliminated from Hall of Fame consideration in his first year of eligibility. He received only four votes for similar flaws that Lee’s career has. Given this, Lee may not be long for eligibility.

Lee was one of the best players from some of the best years of Phillies baseball, but his career may just not have enough to warrant induction into the Hall of Fame.

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