The Indians today have traded LHP Cliff Lee and OF Ben Francisco to the Philadelphia Phillies for four prospects: RHP Carlos Carrasco, RHP Jason Knapp, SS Jason Donald, and C Lou Larson. In the preseason rankings by Baseball America, Carrasco was ranked #2, Larson #3, Donald #4 and Knapp #10.
Carrasco, 22, is an immediate option to replace Lee in the Indians starting rotation the rest of the season. The 6'3" 215 pounder was 6-9 with a 5.18 ERA in 20 starts for Triple-A Lehigh Valley at the time of the trade (114.2 IP, 118 H, 38 BB, 112 K). He is likely to report to Cleveland, though may go to Columbus if the Indians choose to activate Fausto Carmona.
Knapp, 18, is a 6'5" 215-pound fireballing right-handed pitcher who is the centerpiece of this deal for the Indians in that they are getting a high upside power arm who already hits 98 MPH with relative ease. In 17 starts for Low-A Lakewood he is 2-7 with a 4.01 ERA (85.1 IP, 63 H, 39 BB, 111 K). He will likely report to Lake County in the coming days.
Larson, 23, is a 6'1" 200-pound catcher who in 63 games this year at Triple-A Lehigh Valley was hitting .294 with 1 HR, 24 RBI, and a .751 OPS. His acquisition may mean he may be flipped in another deal or one of Kelly Shoppach or Wyatt Toregas. With Carlos Santana in Double-A Akron that is a lot of catching depth, so something has to be in the works. It could also be a signal that Victor Martinez may be on the move. He will likely report to Columbus, but if one of Shoppach or Martinez is dealt he could report right to Cleveland.
Donald, 24, is a 6'1" 195-pound middle infielder who can play shortstop, second base, or third base. Last year at Double-A Reading he hit .307 with 14 HR, 54 RBI, and an .889 OPS. This year at Triple-A Lehigh Valley he is hitting .236 with 1 HR, 16 RBI, and a .629 OPS. He will likely report to Columbus in the coming days.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Indians Trade Lee, Francisco To Phillies For Prospects
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7 comments:
The inclusion of Francisco makes me think that LaPorta and/or Brantley will be up soon.
Is it just me or does the return on this deal seem a little light? I wonder if ownership has given Shapiro orders to cut significant payroll from 2010?
I think it is a nice haul...MUCH better than the one mentioned last night. Two very good arms, a good catcher, (although we are loaded at catcher. Hmmmmm....)and a good hitting middle infielder. My only real objection was the lack of a 2nd pitcher that is nearly ready for the big show.
Seems to me that there's heavy budget shortfalls... Tribe seems to be averaging less than 20,000 a night.
Cliff apparantly had to go. They'd dump Jhonny and Travis if there were any takers. Victor is endangered.
Calling up Marson and passing on Toregas would send an extremely negative message to Indian prospects.
I'm crushed and underwhelmed. I think we got fleeced. I hope I'm wrong.
~Bob
Bob, and the 95% that are upset....I can surely see your point. I like both the pitchers we got....VERY much. Carrasco was a top 50/60 prospect, and has TOR ability. Knapp has a ridiculous arm..only 18 and can hit 100 MPH, but he is 3-4 years away!!!
This is the part that pisses me off...we traded a stud pitcher for only one pitcher that is close to ML ready!! And...we are in desperate need NOW! The two position players are very nice prospects, but not at positions of need. UGH..this is the part that bothers me.
ESPN Buster Olney reporting that Tribe is expected to deal Victor martinez before the trading deadline, citing salary dump.
Mentions Boston, Detroit and some other team, I'm too distraught to care.
We live in interesting times, this makes me sick to my stomach.
How would newly acquired Carlos Carrasco stack up to Hector Rondon in terms of ranking.
Who do you project will have the better career?
Talking to a bunch of people tonight, including some Indians officials. We'll see what they say.
I would think one of Crowe/LaPorta will be up, maybe even both.
Not sure what to think of this deal yet. It does seem light, but there are some intriguing pieces here and they did get four of the Phillies top 10 guys ranked in the preseason (obviously this has changed some by midseason). Also, I need to see what other moves are in play (Martinez, Pavano, Peralta, Shoppach, etc) to see what else we end up with. I would like to see us acquire at least another high end starter if we deal Victor (Buchholz?).
I am sure payroll played a part in this too. With attendance at pathetic levels, something had to give.
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