Breaking News! Phillies Trade for Cliff Lee

Here's the word from Mr. Jayson Stark:

The Philadelphia Phillies and the Cleveland Indians agreed to a
trade that would bring Cliff Lee to the NL East leaders along with outfielder Ben
Francisco for four minor leaguers, according to league sources.

Triple-A right-hander Carlos Carrasco, Single-A righty Jason Knapp, catch Lou Marson -- the likely heir
apparent to Victor Martinez -- and shortstop Jason Donald will be sent to
Cleveland.

So...the Phillies get the 2008 Cy Young Award winner and a right handed bat off the bench, and don't give up any of the pieces that the Blue Jays wanted for Roy Halladay? Wow, I can't believe that Ruben Amaro pulled this off. While I think Carrasco, Marson and Donald could have been very good players in Philadelphia, they're all prospects, and there's no telling how things are going to turn out with them.

With Cliff Lee, the Phils are getting a pitcher who has won his last three starts and allowed only four runs since the All Star break. He's struggled a bit this year, but is still a top of the rotation pitcher that can certainly provide a good jolt to the starting rotation. He doesn't walk many batters, and gives up very few home runs, so pitching in Philadelphia shouldn't be a problem.

The sleeper in the deal is Ben Francisco. He started in Cleveland, but will come off the bench here, but is going to provide a right handed bat with power off the bench, and if he can get his head on straight, he could be another Jayson Werth type of player. Charlie Manuel's done well with players like him in the past, so hopefully he can do the same this time.

Yes, I wanted Roy Halladay. All the Phillies fans did. However, the Blue Jays wanted the Phils to basically give up their future for a pitcher that might not have even stuck around after next season. What the Phillies got instead is a good pitcher who has been playing very well of late, and has a proven track record if you look back at last season. This right here was a very good trade for the Phillies, and could prove to be the thing that helps put them on top of the baseball world again come late October. For now though, we just wait and see.

Source: Cliff Lee traded to Philadelphia Phillies by Cleveland Indians-ESPN