One final hurdle for Lee deal
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One final hurdle for Lee deal
David Murphy, Daily News Staff Writer
According to several baseball sources, the only hurdle standing in the way of a blockbuster trade that will bring reigning American League Cy Young winner Cliff Lee to Philadelphia is a thorough review of medical records.
The trade will bring Lee, 7-9 with a 3.14 ERA, and right-handed hitter Ben Francisco to Philadelphia in exchange for heralded pitching prospect Jason Knapp, infielder Jason Donald, catcher Lou Marson, and former top pitching prospect Carlos Carrasco.
While the medical review is not expected to stand in the way of the deal, a source labelled it an "important part" of the process, given recent injuries to Donald and Knapp. As of early this afternoon, Knapp was still at a Lakewood Blue Claws team hotel in Greenville, S.C., while Donald, Marson and Carrasco were at Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
Carrasco was scratched from his start today. Donald and Marson did not play. Donald was not scheduled to play after returning last night following knee surgery. Marson did not catch, with an early day game after a night game.
Knapp, a 19-year-old righthander who throws in the mid-to-upper 90's, has been on the disabled list with shoulder fatigue since early July. He has been long-tossing, but has not pitched off the mound since July 11.
Word of the trade has already trickled down to Anaheim, where sources said Cleveland teammates were congratulating Lee on the deal. Lee, however, told reporters that he had no knowledge of the trade.
A Phillies source said no announcement was imminent. An Indians spokesman declined to confirm the trade.
Meanwhile, Roy Halladay took the mound in Seattle for Toronto against the Mariners.
Jays manager Cito Gaston was asked about the impending Lee trade.
“Is it official now? So what is Cleveland doing there?" he said. "I know they’re (unloading) but what are they doing?”
Gaston was then asked if it made him feel any better that one of Halladay's suitor was presumably off the board.
“Well, yeah. It tells me [Philadelphia] is not going to take him? Who knows? They might come back and get him, too," he said. "That would be a pretty good staff over there, wouldn’t it? Because from what I understand, they didn’t give up any of their [top] prospects, not the ones we [reportedly] wanted."
Then he started to laugh: "Hey, it’s still out there maybe. It’s better to have two than one, isn’t it? We’ll see what happens. Today’s the 29th. We’ve still got two days. So it’s still alive.”
More to come. . .
Good trade...I feel good about it: we have a stronger rotation now, and we'll have an even stronger one next season, assuming Drabek is ready. The lefty concentration is a problem, but Moyer could be switched out for Martinez. I love Jamie, but that was an immensely worrisome start against the D-Backs, and remember, the guy just ran out of gas last season.— Cheesedog- Great frekkin trade. You keep Happ and Drabek, and get a Cy Young award winner who's making much less than Halladay. You also keep Brown? This is a no brainer. Great job by Amaro.— Richard DeMarco
- What to do with Bruntlett? He is a mess.
- Wait...next year's rotation: Hamels, Lee, Blanton, Happ, Drabek. Who wouldn't go to war with that?— freddhead
- There is no possible way that Baltimore wants Rodrigo Lopez back. Also, Mayberry isn't considered a top tier prospect. Sherill is considered the top reliever on the market. If you think he's coming for those two guys your an idiot!!— FetchDixon
- Bravo, Ruben. You traded for a bonafide ace without surrendering your top 3 prospects. Would Halladay have looked in red pinstripes? Sure, but not for what Toronto was asking. Not only that, you didn't even have to deal J.A. to make it happen. Nicely done.— PhightinPhil
- Take that Eagles!! The Real Gold Standard in Philly!— BirdsSuck
Comment removed.- I am estatic about this. Not only do we keep Drabek and Happ, we pick up Cleveland's starting right handed LF to come off our bench or give Ibanez a day off. His numbers are decent: .250, 10HR, 33RBI, 21 Doubles, 13 SB in 308 AB. And he's only 27! Nice work Ruben. You made the World Champs considerably better.— aerussel
- Here's the play now. Trade Mayberry, Happ & Taylor for Peavy— Wheelermustgo
- Carrasco, Marson, and Donald, see ya' later. There's not a major-league player in the bunch. But now, would you trade Happ, Blanton, Mayberry, and Brown or Taylor for Halladay? Jays might take that.— freddhead
- The Phils got way more bang for their buck with this deal than a Halladay deal, and the price tag is 6.5 million less. Lee pitched two complete games out of three when the Phils scouted him and had a seven inning effort the third game. His record may not indicate it but he is pitching for one of the worst teams in the AL. He had a Carlton like year last year for a bad Indians squad. A great trade for the Phils. Bravo Rueben, Pat taught you well.
- Any chance we can throw Chris Wheeler into the deal?— The CaptMorgan
- Peavy? You do realize he's hurt and probably won't be able to pitch again in '09, right?— Billy The Kid
- This is a decent trade, we really could have used a RHP. It becomes a good trade if Pedro Martinez works out.— PhillyInVa
