Phillies get Lee, Francisco from Tribe

Frustrated in their attempts to acquire Roy Halladay, the Phillies have acquired Cliff Lee from the Indians instead, multiple sources involved in the talks told CBSSports.com.

The teams were in heavy discussions this morning, and as of early afternoon, the deal had come together, pending physicals. The Phillies, who have been searching for a right-handed bat, will also get outfielder Ben Francisco from Cleveland.

The Phillies will send pitchers Jason Knapp and Carlos Carrasco, shortstop Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson to the Indians, an American League executive told CBSSports.com's Scott Miller. Knapp, a 6-foot-5, 18-year-old right-hander currently pitching in Class A, is considered the key player in the deal.

Halladay was always the Phillies' first choice, but an asking price that began with both Kyle Drabek and J.A. Happ was deemed too high by some in the Phillies front office. Lee, who won the 2008 American League Cy Young award and is having a good follow-up season, was regarded as a reasonable backup plan.

Lee was 7-9 with a 3.14 ERA for the Indians, but he had pitched much better than his record. The Indians have been held to one run or none in six of his nine defeats.

Lee also has strong career numbers against National League opposition, going 12-2 with a 3.18 ERA in interleague play.

Like Halladay, the 30-year-old Lee can become a free agent after the 2010 season. He is making $5.75 million this year, with a $9 million club option for 2010 that will certainly be exercised.

The Indians had scouted Drabek, but he isn't in the trade. While Knapp is still in Class A, some scouts regard him even more highly than Drabek.

"He's Josh Johnson, potentially," one scout said last week.

Knapp, the Phillies' second-round draft pick in 2008, is just 2-7 with a 4.01 ERA in 17 starts for Lakewood, but his other numbers are very good. In 85 1/3 innings, he has allowed 63 hits, with 39 walks and 111 strikeouts.

Lee gives the Phillies a heavily left-handed rotation, joining with fellow lefties Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer and J.A. Happ. The Phils also have right-hander Joe Blanton, and have Pedro Martinez getting ready in the minor leagues.

I love the idea that we got Cliff Lee and we still have Drabek, Dominic Brown, Michael Taylor, and J Happ. I would however like to see the Phillies handle Drabek a little diffrently then they did Carrasco. I think they left Carrasco in the minors too long he should have been brought up in the middle of last year.

CentralIL Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 4, 2006	Posted on: July 29, 2009 1:56 pm Score: 83 Phillies very close to getting Lee from Tribe mlbtraderumors says this is a done deal. Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco to the Phillies, a quartet of minor leaguers heading back to Cleveland. [ Reply to Comment ]
Snowfly30 Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Jan 1, 2007	Posted on: July 29, 2009 1:57 pm Score: 75 Phillies very close to getting Lee from Tribe Sothe phils dont give up any of the players the Jays want and get Lee and Francisco. (An ace and a 27 year old outfielder who can play in the majors) Very Nice. Now do we want to give the Jays what they wanted and have Lee, Hamels, Halladay, Blanton, and Moyer/Pedro? [ Reply to Comment ]
VICK-tim less C Reputation: 98 Level: Superstar Since: Dec 10, 2007	Posted on: July 29, 2009 2:04 pm Score: 68 Phillies get Lee, Francisco from Tribe Snowfly, I love the idea. They may not win again for 100 years, but they may string a few together like the Yankees. Hell, they might become the National League Yankees. Worked for Boston. Go Phillies!!!! [ Reply to Comment ]
jearly69 Reputation: 84 Level: All-Star Since: Oct 3, 2006	Posted on: July 29, 2009 2:08 pm Score: 38 Phillies get Lee, Francisco from Tribe unfortunately they won't..... but who cares. We got Cliff Lee and a right handed bat for theses 4 guys no Drabek no Haap! WOHOO PHILLIES are going back to the world series [ Reply to Comment ]
heritage08 Reputation: 94 Level: All-Star Since: Sep 10, 2007	Posted on: July 29, 2009 2:10 pm Score: 67 Phillies get Lee, Francisco from Tribe why the hell did the indians trade francisco too?? he was a young promising player, and they arent even out of the central yet! this is so stupid.. im sick of this team.. and im no longer a fan of the cleveland indians until they get rid of shapiro.. worst gm ever. [ Reply to Comment ]
psubeerman21 Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Dec 19, 2006	Posted on: July 29, 2009 2:12 pm Score: 80 Phillies get Lee, Francisco from Tribe What a great deal. We keep the young studs that (hopefully) will be our future, and we get a Cy Young winner to round out the rotation. AND we save money next year when Myers leaves, freeing up 4 million dollars. Awesome. [ Reply to Comment ]
detlions76 Reputation: 96 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 13, 2006	Posted on: July 29, 2009 2:13 pm Score: 89 Phillies get Lee, Francisco from Tribe I love the idea that we got Cliff Lee and we still have Drabek, Dominic Brown, Michael Taylor, and J Happ. I would however like to see the Phillies handle Drabek a little diffrently then they did Carrasco. I think they left Carrasco in the minors too long he should have been brought up in the middle of last year. [ Reply to Comment ]
LiLSpike0738 Reputation: 93 Level: All-Star Since: Jun 21, 2008	Posted on: July 29, 2009 2:13 pm Score: 66 Phillies get Lee, Francisco from Tribe The Jays wanted two of those prospects traded to Cleveland... [ Reply to Comment ]
LiLSpike0738 Reputation: 93 Level: All-Star Since: Jun 21, 2008	Posted on: July 29, 2009 2:14 pm Score: 57 Phillies get Lee, Francisco from Tribe ^^ At least it was discussed about 2 of them. [ Reply to Comment ]
jd1973 Reputation: 99 Level: Superstar Since: Sep 11, 2006	Posted on: July 29, 2009 2:14 pm Score: 70 Phillies get Lee, Francisco from Tribe The Indians are dead to me. They are a joke from the top down. I am now officially a Yankees fan. [ Reply to Comment ]

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