BetUS $500 Match Bonus
Sign up for a new account with BetUS and deposit $500 or more to get a $500 match bonus!

$20 Free Play at Sportsbook.com
Your first bet is free when you open a new account at sportsbook.com!

Cliff Lee Traded to Philadelphia Phillies

Written July 29, 2009 by Jack Jones

cliff-lee-traded-to-phillies ESPN reports that Cliff Lee will join the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies for their run for another World Series Championship. The Indians get right-handed minor league starter Carlos Carasco, righty, Jason Knapp, and highly-touted catcher, Lou Marson in return for Lee.

The trade is just waiting on the physical exams by the players from each team, but all accounts are that this is a done deal.

Philadelphia had to give up some prospects, but they added a proven pitcher (and last year’s AL Cy Young) in Cliff Lee, and they didn’t have to give up their up-and-coming starter, J.A. Happ, something that the Blue Jays were adamant about in a possible deal for Roy Halladay.

Lee started the season slow, but has come on strong and now has a 3.14 ERA on the season. Lee should improve on his 7-9 record as well as his 1.30 WHIP as the Philadelphia offense and defense is significantly better than Cleveland’s.

We will have to wait to see how this trade turns out for Cleveland, but Lee could have an immediate impact for the Phillies, who are already 7 games ahead of the Florida Marlins in the AL East. The move solidifies their rotation for the post-season, something that might have been a concern if they had not made a deal.

According to the MLB odds, the LA Dodgers are the favorite to win the NL Pennant (+200 odds), but the Phillies were listed at +300 before this trade was made, and should only improve with this deal. Do you think the Cliff Lee acquisition now makes the Phillies the favorite to win the pennant, or are the Dodgers still the team to beat?

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in:

No comments yet, but your thoughts are welcome!

Comments

Got something to say?