Not a surprise: Lee wanted to remain with the Phils

ASSOCIATED PRESS

SEATTLE — Cliff Lee wanted to stay in Philadelphia.

The Phillies’ postseason star said he proposed a counteroffer on a contract extension Wednesday — the day he was traded to Seattle in a four-team deal that sent Roy Halladay to the Phillies.

Speaking by telephone while on vacation in Puerto Rico, the 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner says he had “disbelief and shock” over the trade. The 31-year-old left-hander said he loved pitching for the Phillies and wanted to finish his career in Philadelphia.

He says he’s “disappointed” but he can’t blame the Phillies for preferring Halladay. Lee says he will make the best of his situation in Seattle and likes the moves the Mariners are making.

Yankees

NEW YORK — Alex Rodriguez is all set to start his winter workouts.

ARod found out this week that his surgically repaired right hip is holding up fine.

Rodriguez missed the first month of the season after Dr. Marc Philippon operated on him. The doctor recently examined Rodriguez and told the three-time MVP no additional surgery was needed for the foreseeable future.

Rodriguez was the Yankees’ top hitter in the postseason, batting .365 with six home runs and 18 RBIs as they won the World Series. He was at Yankee Stadium on Thursday for a news conference welcoming Curtis Granderson to New York.

Orioles

People familiar with the negotiations tell The Associated Press that third baseman Garrett Atkins and reliever Mike Gonzalez have reached preliminary agreements with Baltimore.

Gonzalez gets a $12 million, two-year contract and Atkins gets a one-year deal that pays him $4 million next season and includes an option for 2011.

Mets

NEW YORK — Hoping they’ve found their setup man on the other side of the globe, the Mets agreed to a $3 million, two-year contract with Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi.

The 30-year-old right-hander becomes the first major addition this offseason for the Mets following a 70-92 debacle that left them fourth in the NL East.

The deal was completed Thursday, and the Mets think Igarashi could fill the role of eighth-inning setup man for All-Star closer Francisco Rodriguez.

Igarashi was 47-29 with a 3.25 ERA and 54 saves for the Yakult Swallows.