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.
Cliff Lee: 'I'm excited'
Daily News staff
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.
...can't wait to see him in pinstripes!— beefbr- WELCOME ABOARD KID, HOPE YOU LIKE PARADES.— scorpio27
- THIS MOVE RULES. Rube is 2 for 2— Frank Lloyd Wrong
- I can't wait for his first start at home. It's going to be a hell of an ovation. Welcome to Philly Cliff!!!— ckirk255
- Let him face Lincecum Saturday!!! Lets see what he's made of.— KevinRx
- This looks like a great deal. Let's hope it turns out better than the Von Hayes, five-for-one deal with Cleveland.— ThunderingHerd
Comment removed.- kept happ and drabek and still landed a Cy Young Award Winner! Nice Job Ruben!— nwphillyguy
- Comment removed.
- Let's hope it turns out better than the Von Hayes deal? What a typical negative Philly thing to say. Let's hope it turns out as good as trading for Moyer or trading for Blanton or picking up Romero off waivers or signing Ibanez or signing Werth, etc. I'm not even sure why some people bother rooting for a team. Some people enjoy being miserable and they must be hating life with their team being the defending World Series champs and leading their division.— JimG
- I was in the Philly area, I would definitely go and see him for his first home game. The Phans should make him feel welcomed and hopefully it'll increase are chances of signing him to an extension in the off-season.— MOphan
- Great Deal....kudos to Rubin! I see a scond ring in Philly's future! Now if only the Flyers and Eagles could get with the program!— Noodle
- Look, they have a lineup of Hamels, Lee, Blanton, Happ, and Moyer, with Pedro maybe available. Next year will probably be Hamels, Lee, Drabek, Blanton,and Happ. If Amaro had traded Happ and Drabek, he'd still have to find two more pitchers. As classy as Moyer is, I don't think he's going to make through next year. We'll see what Lee can do with run support. If he wants to learn how to bunt, he can ask Moyer: he can still make the play when needed.— mike l
Don't get me wrong, Lee is a stud, however, he is a fly ball pitcher who will pitch his home games at The Bank. This year, so far, right handed hitters are batting .300 against him. Lee is a free agent after next season. On top of that, you now have 4 lefty starters. If I had my choice would rather have had Halladay for 2 more seasons and he is the best pitcher in MLB, not to mention he is a groundball pitcher who eats innings. I'm glad that Amaro did this deal, but there is some down side to consider.- Comment removed.
