Phillies retain pitcher Cliff Lee

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The Philadelphia Phillies Friday picked up ace left-hander Cliff Lee's $9 million 2010 contract option.

Before the Phillies lost the World Series to the New York Yankees, Lee was on his way to a Series MVP. He beat the Yankees twice and was a combined 4-0 in the post-season.

After he was acquired from Cleveland with outfielder Ben Francisco for four prospects in July, Lee went 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA in 12 starts.

Also, the Phillies won the five times the 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner pitched in the playoffs.

"With the players we have, I like our chances," Lee told The (Wilmington, Del.) News Journal this week when asked if he thought the Phillies, the 2008 World Series champs, would make a third straight trip to the Fall Classic next season.