That Balls Outta Here
FanSided

Phillies: Most impactful trade made with every team

By George Stockburger

Roy Halladay and Ruben Amaro Jr. of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
Roy Halladay and Ruben Amaro Jr. of the Philadelphia Phillies (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /
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August 19, 2009: Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cliff Lee #34 in the wind up during the game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Behind a gem pitching performance by Cliff Lee, the Phillies beat the Diamondbacks, 8-1. (Photo by Christopher Szagola/Icon SMI/Corbis via Getty Images) /

Cleveland Indians: Cliff Lee

"On July 29, 2009, the Cleveland Indians traded Ben Francisco and Cliff Lee to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jason Knapp, Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald and Lou Marson."

The 2009 Cliff Lee trade was one of the biggest blockbuster trades in recent memory for Phillies fans when it all went down at the trade deadline.

Coming off the 2008 World Series the Phillies were even better the following season. While they’d lost Pat Burrell, a majority of the team returned with the addition of Raul Ibanez in left field.

The pitching was not as strong in 2009 as it was in ’08. Cole Hamels was still coming off his championship high, and the trio of Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer and Chan Ho Park all disappointed, whether it be because of injuries or general decline.

The Phillies had the offense to win, but they needed pitching. On July 15 they signed future Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez off the street. Rookie J.A. Happ made a big impact, winning 12 games with a 2.93 ERA and finishing second to Chris Coghlan (who hit .321) in the Rookie of the Year race.

But the Phillies needed an ace. They tried to get Roy Halladay, but came up short that summer. The second-best option was Indians ace and reigning AL Cy Young winner Cliff Lee.

Saving top prospects Domonic Brown and Kyle Drabek, the Phillies sent four players to Cleveland who were good prospects, but there was no room for them on the big league team.

Catcher Lou Marson was stuck behind Carlos Ruiz. Jason Donald was stuck behind Chase Utley. They were both expendable and neither developed into an everyday big league player.

Pitcher Jason Knapp was a top-100 prospect and a second round pick out of New Jersey who never played above High-A ball.

NEW YORK – JULY 13: #40 Carlos Carrasco of the Philadelphia Phillies playing for World Futures Team pitches against the United States Olympic Team during the 2008 XM All-Star Futures Game at Yankee Stadium on July 13, 2008 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – JULY 13: #40 Carlos Carrasco of the Philadelphia Phillies playing for World Futures Team pitches against the United States Olympic Team during the 2008 XM All-Star Futures Game at Yankee Stadium on July 13, 2008 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) /

The biggest loss for the Phillies in this deal was Carlos Carrasco, who was a late bloomer that developed into a top of the rotation pitcher for Cleveland. He didn’t turn into a bonafide big league starter until he was 27 in 2014, but when healthy he’s one of the best in baseball.

Philadelphia also got outfielder Ben Francisco in the deal to sure up the bench. In 19 games as a starter for the Phillies that season Francisco hit .291 with five home runs.

But the prize was Lee, one of the best pitchers in baseball coming off a terrible team and ready for a playoff run.

In his first game with the Phillies Lee threw a complete game, his first of three for Philadelphia that year. In 12 regular season starts Lee had a 3.39 ERA and dominated in nearly every game en route to a playoff berth.

During the playoffs Lee was better than advertised, pitching into the eighth inning in all five of his starts with two complete games.

In his first-ever playoff game Lee threw one of those complete games and stole a base against the Rockies at home.

In game one of the World Series he struck out 10 Yankees in a lineup that included Jeter, A-Rod, Cano, Matsui, Texiera, Damon, Gardner, and Posada.

The ’09 season certainly didn’t end as everyone hoped, but it went about as well as it could have for Lee.

Honorable Mention

December 9, 1982. The Cleveland Indians traded Von Hayes to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jay Baller, Julio Franco, Manny Trillo, George Vukovich and Jerry Willard.

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