The Phillies have reached agreement with the Indians on a trade that would bring them left-hander Cliff Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco for Class A right-hander Jason Knapp, Class AAA right-hander Carlos Carrasco, shortstop Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson, according to major-league sources.
The deal is pending a review of medical records.
In my mind, this is a great deal.
Lee is not Roy Halladay, but he’s only a small notch below, particularly when you consider he is cheaper and younger, and, the Phillies did not have to part with J.A. Happ or Kyle Drabek or Dominic Brown or Michael Taylor, all of whom are the cream of the Phillies farm crop.
Time is really the determining factor in all trades, particularly those involving young prospects, but as of right now, this looks like a pretty good job by Ruben Amaro Jr. and his lieutenants.
