NEW YORK (AP) - Cliff Lee starts off his $120 million, five-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies with a relatively modest $11 million salary next season.
Including an option for 2016, the deal could be worth $135 million for six seasons, according to contract information obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press.
His pay escalates to $21.5 million in 2012 and increases to $25 million in each of the following three seasons.
There is an option for 2016 for $27.5 million with a $12.5 million buyout. For the option to become guaranteed, Lee must pitch 200 innings in 2015 or 400 innings combined in 2014 and 2015, and he also must not finish the 2015 season on the disabled list because of a left shoulder or elbow injury.
Philadelphia gains payroll flexibility after next season. Roy Oswalt enters the final guaranteed season of his contract in 2011, when he is due $16 million; and Raul Ibanez makes $11.5 million in the final season of his deal.
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