Major League Baseball

Phils get Lee, Francisco in deal with Indians

Published Jul. 30, 2009 4:24 p.m. ET

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Ken Rosenthal

The Phillies are not getting Roy Halladay. But the pitcher they are getting just happens to be the reigning American League Cy Young award winner.


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The Phillies have acquired left-hander Cliff Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco from the Indians for Class A right-hander Jason Knapp, Class AAA right-hander Carlos Carrasco, shortstop Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson.

"I'm going to miss all these guys here, but it's an opportunity for me to help a team that's in first place," Lee said after the Indians lost to the Los Angeles Angels 9-3 in Anaheim, Calif.

"They're the defending world champions. So as far as that goes, I'm excited. But right now I've got to figure out how to get there and meet up with them and get acclimated to their team," Lee said.

The deal, which does not include any cash, is a coup for both the Phillies and Indians.

When Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. walked through the locker room hours before his team played in Arizona, many Phillies greeted him with applause.

"One of our goals has been to add someone to our rotation that can be a difference-maker," Amaro said in a conference call. "It's important to show our guys on the field that we're making the best effort to put the best team out there."

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