PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — The Philadelphia Phillies have declined the $27.5 million 2016 option on Cliff Lee’s contract, making him a free agent according to MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki.
This is no surprise, but Phillies have officially declined Cliff Lee's 2016 club option. He will be paid a $12.5 million buyout.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) November 3, 2015
The Phillies will buyout Lee for $12.5 million instead.
Lee, 37, missed all of the 2015 season after tearing his flexor tendon in Spring Training and starting in just 13 games in 2014.