When the Philadelphia Phillies acquired Cliff Lee at this year's trade deadline, many Phillies fans celebrated. But I, like some fans, did not react emotionally towards adding the 2008 Cy Young Award winner from the American League. After all, I looked at Lee's ugly 7-9 record and his general lack of a proven track record. I tempered my enthusiasm in fear of an overrated player joining the team. I could not have been more wrong.
As most fans and analysts believed, Roy Halladay of the Blue Jays would be a Phillie by July 31st. Even more, those same people (myself included) believed that Halladay would propel the Phillies to another World Championship. Perhaps he would have. But there's no way to determine what Doc's impact on the Phillies would have been. The cost for Halladay, both in prospects and contract, was too great. And for the first time in recent memory, the Phillies made the correct, cheap move.
The cost of Halladay was not just super-prospect Kyle Drabek. The Blue Jays also wanted J.A. Happ. Instead, the Phillies traded four players that were not close to contributing to the big league team and acquired an ace pitcher and an above-average fourth outfielder in Ben Francisco. And it's not just Lee's more affordable contract (which may help keep Joe Blanton in Philly) that the Phillies now have; it is also J.A. Happ. Therefore, by the numbers, consider that the Phillies choice was between Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee AND J.A. Happ. Let's look at the numbers since the trade (7/29/09):
Halladay: 2 GS, 0-2, 16.0 IP, 1 CG, 3.94 ERA, 11 K, 4 HR
Lee: 2 GS, 2-0, 16.0 IP, 1 CG, 1.13 ERA, 15 K, 0 HR
Happ: 2 GS, 1-1, 15.0 IP, 1 CG, 1.20 ERA, 15 K, 1 HR
As you can see, no matter how great Halladay would have been, it will be hard to top the contributions of both Lee and Happ. With the outcome of the season far from certain, there will be plenty of time to evaluate the long-term impact of this trade. We will certainly keep an eye on it, but as it stands right now, the Phillies and Ruben Amaro look like geniuses. Is it possible that the Phillies will now have a Roy (Rookie of the Year hopeful, Happ) and a Cy (last year's Cy Young Award winner, Lee) without a Halladay? Absolutely.
As most fans and analysts believed, Roy Halladay of the Blue Jays would be a Phillie by July 31st. Even more, those same people (myself included) believed that Halladay would propel the Phillies to another World Championship. Perhaps he would have. But there's no way to determine what Doc's impact on the Phillies would have been. The cost for Halladay, both in prospects and contract, was too great. And for the first time in recent memory, the Phillies made the correct, cheap move.
The cost of Halladay was not just super-prospect Kyle Drabek. The Blue Jays also wanted J.A. Happ. Instead, the Phillies traded four players that were not close to contributing to the big league team and acquired an ace pitcher and an above-average fourth outfielder in Ben Francisco. And it's not just Lee's more affordable contract (which may help keep Joe Blanton in Philly) that the Phillies now have; it is also J.A. Happ. Therefore, by the numbers, consider that the Phillies choice was between Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee AND J.A. Happ. Let's look at the numbers since the trade (7/29/09):
Halladay: 2 GS, 0-2, 16.0 IP, 1 CG, 3.94 ERA, 11 K, 4 HR
Lee: 2 GS, 2-0, 16.0 IP, 1 CG, 1.13 ERA, 15 K, 0 HR
Happ: 2 GS, 1-1, 15.0 IP, 1 CG, 1.20 ERA, 15 K, 1 HR
As you can see, no matter how great Halladay would have been, it will be hard to top the contributions of both Lee and Happ. With the outcome of the season far from certain, there will be plenty of time to evaluate the long-term impact of this trade. We will certainly keep an eye on it, but as it stands right now, the Phillies and Ruben Amaro look like geniuses. Is it possible that the Phillies will now have a Roy (Rookie of the Year hopeful, Happ) and a Cy (last year's Cy Young Award winner, Lee) without a Halladay? Absolutely.
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