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12/14/2010 at 7:05am

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Looks like it's back to Philly for Cliff Lee.

Cliff Lee has apparently made his decision.

The free agent pitcher and philanthropist, who's spent the last two months being wooed by major league baseball teams including the Texas Rangers and the deep-pocketed New York Yankees, has accepted a deal to return to the Philadelphia Phillies.

From the AP:

Turns out the Philadelphia Phillies do have enough money for both Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay — and Roy Oswalt and Cole Hamels, too.

A year after Phillies traded him away, Lee chose to rejoin them and form a fearsome foursome that is the envy of all of baseball.

The free-agent pitcher passed up an extra $50 million from the New York Yankees and reached a preliminary agreement on a $100 million, five-year contract with the Phillies on Monday night, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

The agreement is subject to the 32-year-old left-hander passing a physical, the person said on condition of anonymity because the agreement was not final.

The deal beat out the Yankees, who apparently offered more money but a longer contract, according to the New York Times:

The Yankees had bid seven years and about $150 million for Lee, who also had a strong offer from the Rangers. But in the end, Lee’s agent, Darek Braunecker, informed the Yankees that Lee was headed to Philadelphia, where he never wanted to leave after a dominant postseason run for the Phillies.

Jon Daniels, the Rangers’ general manager, told MLB.com that Lee had called him to tell him his decision personally. Lee helped the Rangers reach their first World Series in October.

“People rag on players for following that last dollar,” Daniels said. “Cliff didn’t do that. I have a lot of respect for him.”

The New York Post says the Yankees made two offers:

USA Today calls Lee's decision a "stunner."

News of Lee's negotiations with various MLB teams -- even the Washington Nationals got in the mix for a bit -- have been closely watched in Arkansas. Even the baristas around here have an opinion on where Lee should go.

ArkansasSports360.com will update with more later.

Tagged: Major League Baseball, Philadelphia Phillies, deals, baseball, New York Yankees, Cliff Lee