Rangers lose Cliff Lee to Phillies

Free-agent pitcher Cliff Lee informed the Texas Rangers he was accepting an offer to play for the Philadelphia Phillies.  Lee, who was acquired by the Rangers last July and helped the team to the World Series, called Rangers general manager Jon Daniels Monday night to inform him.   “We would have liked to have him back, but we weren’t able to find terms that made sense,” Daniels said. “Cliff will always be a part of the most exciting and special year in Rangers history. It’s time to move on and look at a variety of ways to improve the club.”

The Rangers are looking at options to fill Lee’s spot in the rotation with C.J. Wilson, Colby Lewis, Tommy Hunter, and Derek Holland.  Texas is considering moving reliever Neftali Feliz or Alexi Ogando into the rotation, or they could choose to pursue Zack Greinke of the Royals or Matt Garza of the Rays.