Two days after the Philadelphia Phillies lost the World Series to the New York Yankees, they have already started to focus in on the 2010 season by picking up Cliff Lee’s team option.  The team option is worth $9 million for the 2010 season.  Not a bad signing given that Lee was a key piece to their 2009 NL Pennant.  Picking up the option allows the Phillies more time to negotiate an extension to keep Lee, 31, in a Phillies uniform for some time.  The $9 million price tag is comparatively cheap compared to former teammate C.C. Sabathia’s $14 million pay check he earned for 2009.  Expect the contract extension to propel Lee into a top 5 paid pitcher.

According to MLB.com, Brett Myers, Pedro Martinez and Miguel Cairo filed for free agency on Friday.  It also is not clear how the Phillies will handle Pedro Feliz’s $5.5 million club option for 2010.

Related posts:

1. Tim Hudson's plans for 2010 and beyond
2. Noah Lowry's option will not be picked up by Giants
3. 2010 Twins payroll increase for Target Field
4. Should Billy Wagner retire?
5. 2009 World Series ticket prices dropping