Phillies' Cliff Lee: Option declined, becomes a free agent

The Phillies officially declined their 2016 option on Lee (elbow) making him a free agent, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.

Lee, who did not pitch in 2015, will be paid a $12.5 million buyout. It is unclear if he intends to continue pitching. Given his unwillingness to undergo surgery on his elbow, it seems likely he will call it a career, as rehab has not proven successful.