Sources: Phils agree to Lee trade
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Sources: Phils agree to Lee trade
Andy Martino
Two sources with knowledge of the negotiations confirmed to the Inquirer that the Phillies have agreed to trade Lou Marson, Jason Donald, Carlos Carrasco and Jason Knapp to Cleveland for pitcher Cliff Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco. The deal is done pending a review of medical records, and could be announced shortly.
Lee, 30, the 2008 American League Cy Young Award winner, is 7-9 this season with a 3.14 earned run average. Francisco, 28, is a righthanded hitting outfielder, batting .250 with 10 home runs this season. Francisco has pinch hit twice this season, going hitless in two at-bats.
The Phillies had long been engaged in talks with the Toronto Blue Jays to acquire pitcher Roy Halladay. But the Blue Jays asked for pitcher J.A. Happ and top prospects Kyle Drabek and Dominic Brown. Phils general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. was able to acquire a former Cy Young Award winner without trading any of those players.
The most likely roster moves for the Phils would be to option John Mayberry Jr. to Triple-A, and demote a pitcher like Steven Register or Kyle Kendrick.
Would adding Drabek to these three be enough for the Jays? Or Happ? Unless Drabek's also in this, this must be a Lee deal.— sha987- I want halladay but according to espn it looks like cliff lee! http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4363553— beez1228
- I will take Cliff Lee w/o giving up Drabek and Brown, great move by Amaro if this happens. Now, what if Amaro, sensing desparation from the Jays turns around and offers Brown and Drabek for Halladay? THAT would be a rotation worthy of the Baseball Gods! Hamels, Halladay, Lee, Blanton, Happ/Moyer or Pedro.— ESFjellin
- LATER FELLAS!!!— gallen024
- So does anubody have a problem with Lee? While he is not Halladay he still is a first tier pitcher. The guy won the Cy Young last year! He is another lefty and he is 7-9 this year. The 7-9 record could be because Cleveland is crappy this year. His ERA is 3.14 which shows you that he has pitched very well and probably has had little run support. If the Phillies can get a Tier One guy like Lee and still keep Drabek it would be OK with me.— kzimm63
- More cheapness and fear from the Phillies....way to wash all that good will built up over the last year away, Rube....hopefully I'm wrong, Lee ain't chopped liver, but with Halladay we are a dynasty! Same old Phillies.....— Norton88
Or, Phillies get Lee and turn around immediately and trade him to Toronto for Halladay keeping Happ in the process.— thebigrocketboy- Hmmm.... Happ's still scheduled to pitch tonight, but Drabek's not scheduled till Saturday. Maybe they surprise us and get a closer. Is the trade deadline midnight Friday? Don't tell me they're waiting to see Pedro's performance before doing anything.— phasor
- I WANT HALLADAY!!!!! JUST DO IT, RUBEN!!!!— uncle meat
- Its quite possible that Carrasco ends up better than Drabek. Theyboth could be in Phills rotation next year. Carrasco started out poorly in AAA but has pitched well in his last 8-9 starts. His stuff is just as good as Drabek's— Don w
- I can't blame Amaro for this one. Ricciardi backed himself into a corner. I'm interested to see what the Jays get for Halladay... if anything! The addition of Lee is a huge improvement.— mm9518
- Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo— Captain
- Definitely regarding Cliff Lee or lower level pitcher, not Halladay. Interestingly enough, still have Happ, Drabek, and Brown if these are the only 3 in the deal for Lee. Go get Halladay then by agreeing to their original offer. Halladay, Hamels, Lee, and Blanton; sounds like pretty good post-season staff. For the record, I know this will not happen, just a dream.— sascamo
- Roy Halladay is the best pitcher on the market, but the Phillies don't NEED Roy Halladay. They need another solid starter and they got something better than that. Cliff Lee is a REALLY good pitcher, folks. I feel VERY good going into the playoffs with a 4 man rotation of Hamels, Lee, Blanton and Happ (if he's not included in the trade). If Happ's gone, Hamels, Lee, Blanton is still VERY solid as your first 3. Then you gotta hope that either Moyer or Pedro can hold it together.— sietepus
- Oh I hope this is a done deal. Cliff Lee for none of our top level prospects!?! That'll work. And notice that Carrasco, Marson and Donald are not part of any Halliday trade talk, that means that door is still open AND Ruben has better leverage over the Jays if the Lee deal gets done. Brilliant move lets hope it is finished.— sla6yer
