Cliff Lee

Cliff Lee cleared medically, may pitch in 2016

Free agent pitcher Cliff Lee (elbow) has received medical clearance and is currently throwing with no issues, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.

What It Means:

Lee missed the entire 2015 season after being diagnosed with a torn flexor tendon in his throwing elbow during spring training. The Philadelphia Phillies made the easy decision to decline his $27.5 million option for 2016 (instead paying a $12.5 million buyout), and the veteran southpaw is now a free agent. Heyman says Lee will pitch next season "if he finds the right fit."

Lee has had one of the more interesting career trajectories in recent memory. After serving as basically a league-average pitcher for parts of six seasons, Lee burst onto the scene with a Cy Young campaign in 2008, which was the start of six straight seasons posting a Wins Above Replacement mark over five. In his prime, Lee was a control master. He twice recorded seasons with more starts than walks. Lee pitched 81 1/3 innings in 2014, posting a stellar 3.01 xFIP, so the tank may not be empty. In a market where teams are having to pony up for any kind of decent pitching, some team likely will deem Lee worthy of a cheap flier.