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Cliff Lee: 'I'm excited'

Cliff Lee is ready to come to the National League and glad it as a part of the defending champions.

122 comments

Cliff Lee: 'I'm excited'

POSTED: Wednesday, July 29, 2009, 7:24 PM

Daily News staff

Was the Cliff Lee trade a good deal for the Phillies?

Cliff Lee is ready to come to the National League and glad it is as a part of the defending champions.

"I'm going to the defending World Champions, that's a good thing," Lee told Daily News contributor Steve Lowery after Cleveland faced the Angels this afternoon in Anaheim.

Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco were acquired in exchange for minor league prospects Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald, Lou Marson (all at Triple A Lehigh Valley) and Jason Knapp (at Class A Lakewood).

The Phillies confirmed the move with a press release shortly after 7 p.m.

Lee was not sure when he would join the Phillies in San Francisco. The Phillies close out a three-game series with Arizona tonight and then face the Giants for four games.

Lee last pitched Sunday and his normal turn would come again Friday, but Lee said he did not know when he would make his next start. In Arizona, Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee also said he was unsure when Lee would make his Phillies debut. Joe Blanton is scheduled to start Friday for the Phillies.

"I'm anxious and excited to get there," Lee said. "It's the National League. I'm going to have to figure out how to get a bunt down more consistently."

To read analysis of the trade, the possible rotation and what it means for the Phillies, click here.

122 comments

Next Story: Breaking down the Lee deal

Comments (122)

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:31 PM, 07/29/2009

There has NEVER been a better time to be a Phils fan...

— chhill1213

0 like this / 0 don't • Posted 8:31 PM, 07/29/2009

while Halladay would've been the slam dunk deal of all deals, you've gotta hand it to Ruben for not giving up the farm to Toronto. You know he would've done the Halladay deal if he didn't have to give up both happ and drabeck. Good, solid move.

— canada51stSTATE