Rosenthal: Indians agree on a deal to send Cliff Lee to Phillies

Cleveland would also send OF Ben Francisco to Philly in return for Single-A RHP Jason Knapp, AAA RHP Carlos Carrasco, SS Jason Donald and C Lou Marson. The deal is pending medical review.

Not a bad deal for Philly, as they upgrade their weak rotation significantly without breaking up their MLB roster or giving up the haul for Halladay.

As it pertains to the Rockies, Francisco's presence negates any reason for them to acquire Ryan Spilborghs. Also, unless the NL Central winner catches Philly (highly unlikely now), the Phillies would be the Rockies' first series playoff opponent should we win the wild card.

almost 3 years ago Andrew T. Fisher 15 comments 0 recs |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Nice haul for the Wahoos

Carrasco, Donald and Marson have all been top prospects for a while now.

So, now Halladay to Philly. Does he go to Boston, LA, somewhere else or just stay put?

by Junction Rox on Jul 29, 2009 11:54 AM MDT reply actions

Carrasco and Donald have regressed recently.

Carrasco is a headcase. He has a great arm, but seems to be unable to do anything but strike out batters. He still has time, but it’s hard to say where he ends up.

Donald has been horrific in AAA this year. 52K to 14BB, low average, no power. And questionable D for a SS. He is on the verge of a bust.

Marson is comparable to McKenry. Both are good defensive catchers with an issue with the bat. McKenry has the contact issue, while Marson has no power. He projects as a backup or below average starter.

Knapp is the gem of the deal. A ball pitcher with a 98MPH fastball. Projectable. However, he is on the DL with shoulder fatigue. thats a red flag to me.

by mkorpal on Jul 29, 2009 12:00 PM MDT up reply actions

isn't this

very similar to the package we wanted for Holliday?

by Teekalong on Jul 29, 2009 12:21 PM MDT up reply actions

I think it was something like that.

Although there were never any concrete rumors about packages.

by mkorpal on Jul 29, 2009 12:23 PM MDT up reply actions

I'm sure that's what I'm thinking of

Carrasco, Marson and Happ are all names I very specifically remember being tossed around in the Holliday to Philly discussions. Maybe Donald too, but I’m less sure on that.

I’ll admit I haven’t followed them as closely this year. Being a middle infielder in the Philly organization has to be something of a hopeless thing right now. With Rollins and Utley on the big club, there was just no real hope of breaking through. I wonder if a new organization might give Donald some new life. Marson was certainly being portrayed as more than good field, no hit in the Holliday discussions. Good thing we avoided having to take back anybody like that when we actually dealt him.

The shoulder fatigue with Knapp would concern me as well. Any time a guy has arm problems before even getting out of the minors it is a worry. I hope Friederich and Weathers beat the odds there…

by Junction Rox on Jul 29, 2009 2:49 PM MDT up reply actions

didnt weathers already have tommy john?

im guessing u meant someone else like chacin?

by purplesocks on Jul 29, 2009 3:51 PM MDT up reply actions

No, I meant Weathers and Friederich

since they’ve both had some sort of trouble (granted, CF’s hopefully amounting to far less than CW’s….). What I was trying to say is that I hope they beat the odds of such early arm issues being a harbinger of trouble to come in the future…

And granted, I have not researched the “odds” in that case, so if somebody can tell me that the odds are actually that they generally turn out fine, so much the better…

by Junction Rox on Jul 29, 2009 4:30 PM MDT up reply actions

I believe this deal

moves Philly into the coveted “team to beat” spot in the NL.

by mkorpal on Jul 29, 2009 11:54 AM MDT reply actions

I'd pretty much settled with Spilborghs remaining with the Rockies until the offseason

Chris Iannetta status: DOOM
Seth Smith status: FREE SETH SMITH
Matt Murton status: Prisoner Exchanged for CarGon
Mike McCoy status: FREE MIKE MCCOY

by Andrew Martin on Jul 29, 2009 11:56 AM MDT reply actions

I agree it was a remote possibility that he be traded

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jul 29, 2009 11:57 AM MDT up reply actions

Wow

Does this not seem like a lot less than was rumored in a Halladay deal?

There’s not a big dropoff from Halladay to Lee.

Leave Dexter alone! You're lucky he even performs for you!

by FooMan on Jul 29, 2009 11:57 AM MDT reply actions

That's what I was thinking

Aside from how anything affects the Rockies directly, I detest the Phillies and have a mild rooting interest for Cleveland, so if one of those prospects doesn’t become a stalwart starter and All-Star for Cleveland, I’m going to be very sad.

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." - Albert Einstein

by Andrew T. Fisher on Jul 29, 2009 11:59 AM MDT up reply actions