Trade Deadline

We are just over 24 hours until the MLB Trade Deadline and as a Phillie Fan, I am sorta happy to report the Phils traded for 2008 AL Cy Young Award Winner, Cliff Lee. It just feels as if the Phillies are holding a high priced consolation prize. It's no secret, Blue Jays GM JP Ricciardi dangled Roy Halladay out there to see what his value is. I believe Ricciardi had no intentions of trading Hallday and Ricciardi was just grand standing.

Ricciardi asked for a lot for Halladay and if I were the Phillies, I would have done it. But, Ricciardi knew the Phillies wouldn't budge. So if the Phillies come up short on another World Series, Phillie Fan will be playing the what if card on Holliday. But, take it from me, don't fall into that trap, Halladay was going no where.

As for the trade, Cliff Lee is a good pitcher. I look at him like another Joe Blanton, who had a phenomenal 2008. Is he better than what they have? Maybe. Was he worth the four prospects that were traded for him? Probably not, unless The Phils win another World Series.

Here are the prospects:
P Carlos Carrasco. I saw in pitch in Spring Training and I was unimpressed. His fast ball wasn't that fast. His control was atrocious. I didn't see him as a back end of the rotation guy or maybe even a Bullpen guy.

C Lou Marson. I liked what I've seen of him. He definitely has a lot of potential and seems to be Major League Ready. If he wasn't traded, he probably would have been Carlos Ruiz' back up and gotten 45 starts. He might be a better hitter than Ruiz, but can he handle the Phils pitching staff?

SS Jason Donald. I saw him in Spring Training also, and liked what I saw. He is definitely Major League Ready, but not sure where he would play? Jimmy Rollins will be the Phils Shortstop for the foreseeable future as will Chase Utley at Second. Pedro Feliz should be resigned for another few years at third.

P Jason Knapp. I don't know much about him, he is a top 10 prospect, but he is rather young. I think he will have a better Major League Career than Carrasco.

All in all, the Phillies needed to bolster their rotation and they don't have too much faith in Pedro Martinez to be anything more than a 5th starter. I think Cliff Lee will be keeping a spot on the bench for another year and two months until Kyle Drabek is ready for the Majors. I will reserve the final grade of the trade until October.