Phillies trade for Cliff Lee

[wdleehi]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4363553


I like this move.  They add the 2nd top of the rotation pitcher without giving up any of the players that they would have to give up for Halladay. 

[Rondo2287]

Personally I have never been sold on Lee, Phenomenal year last year, but thats mixed in with plenty of years where he should have put it together but didnt.  I like this move even more since it takes one of the other main players for Halladay out of the equation. 

Course moving from the AL to the NL will probably help him out numbers wise

[wdleehi]

Personally I have never been sold on Lee, Phenomenal year last year, but thats mixed in with plenty of years where he should have put it together but didnt.  I like this move even more since it takes one of the other main players for Halladay out of the equation. 

Course moving from the AL to the NL will probably help him out numbers wise

a 3.14 era in the American league with his record yells out "Lack of run support"


Not going to be a problem in Philly. 


It sounds like Halladay is not going to be traded.  Blue Jays want more then any team is willing to pay.  And they already have him signed for next year. 

[Donoghus]

I don't know squat about the minor leaguers that Philly gave up for Lee, but it looks like a good deal for them.

I'm not sold on Lee as a savior but the addition of another front end of the rotation type should definitely bolster their starting pitching.  

[wdleehi]

I don't know squat about the minor leaguers that Philly gave up for Lee, but it looks like a good deal for them.

I'm not sold on Lee as a savior but the addition of another front end of the rotation type should definitely bolster their starting pitching.  

He doesn't have to be a savior.  Just a good number 2 pitcher in the playoffs. 

[Donoghus]

I don't know squat about the minor leaguers that Philly gave up for Lee, but it looks like a good deal for them.

I'm not sold on Lee as a savior but the addition of another front end of the rotation type should definitely bolster their starting pitching.  

He doesn't have to be a savior.  Just a good number 2 pitcher in the playoffs. 

That's the question mark.  How he'll pitch in the playoffs.  Like Halliday, he has no track record to go off of.  And they do need a good number 2 starter in the playoffs just like any team these days.

[wdleehi]

I don't know squat about the minor leaguers that Philly gave up for Lee, but it looks like a good deal for them.

I'm not sold on Lee as a savior but the addition of another front end of the rotation type should definitely bolster their starting pitching.  

He doesn't have to be a savior.  Just a good number 2 pitcher in the playoffs. 

That's the question mark.  How he'll pitch in the playoffs.  Like Halliday, he has no track record to go off of.  And they do need a good number 2 starter in the playoffs just like any team these days.

An upgrade over Myers (last year) or Moyer/Happ/Blanton.

[Redz]

The only Phil's prospect I know about is Marson, and I think he could be an every day catcher.

[Prof. Clutch]

Too bad.  I was kinda hoping the sox were gonna swing a deal for Victor Martinez/Cliff Lee.  That would have been a really solid mid season acquisition.

[Moranis]

Personally I have never been sold on Lee, Phenomenal year last year, but thats mixed in with plenty of years where he should have put it together but didnt.  I like this move even more since it takes one of the other main players for Halladay out of the equation. 

Course moving from the AL to the NL will probably help him out numbers wise

Lee was hurt two years ago, but the two seasons prior to that and this year and last year, Lee has had an ERA well above the league average.  This year his ERA+ is 143 (100 is league average), the Indians just can't score any runs for him so his W/L is terrible (he led the league in ERA+ last year at 175, Lincecum was second at 167).  He is an excellent pitcher and with a salary of just 9 million next year, the Phillies got a steal.

[Jon]

This is a good move for them.  I live in Philly and thought they got lucky last year.  Had they played in the AL East, they probably would've finished in 4th place and not even made the playoffs.  Similarly, had the Sox been healthy last year, they would have beaten the Rays and probably swept the Phils.  The way the AL East manhandled the NL East this year pretty much proves that. 

I think this move, however, makes the Phils legit contenders, even against a healthy AL powerhouse. 

Lee is overrated, but he's going to be even better in the NL.