Lee - Francisco Trade Turns Out Great

Going into the sixth inning in last night’s game between the Phillies and Giants, Philly fans knew that they had something special. Newly acquired Cliff Lee from the Cleveland Indians was pitching a no-hitter with one out in the sixth when Juan Uribe slapped a double down the right field line. Giants’ fans stood and gave a standing ovation. That is how well respected Lee is around baseball. Though the Phillies didn’t get Blue Jays’ Roy Halladay, many will say that they are pretty content with Lee. Not only was Lee the 2008 Cy Young Award winner, but his leadership and presence in the Phillies clubhouse will add an extra push through the postseason, and hopefully into the World Series. Lee ended up pitching a complete game against the Giants, giving up only one earned run on 4 hits while striking out six and walking two. Not bad for someone who has never faced a national league team with the exception of interleague play.

Not only did Lee pitch superbly, but he also helped the Phillies offensively as well going two for four with a single and his first career double. Again, not bad for someone who got probably 7-8 at-bats during an entire season. Lee was most definitely a complete package Friday night in San Francisco, something that Phillies fans hope to see more often. The Phillies were an almost definite for the playoffs before they acquired Lee, and now they might have what it takes to make it to the World Series. Now I’m not saying that it is going to be easy, but if the Phils starting staff keeps it up, and the offense keeps swingin’ the bats like they know how, a repeat in 2009 is not out of the question.

Now that the 2009 trade deadline is over and the Roy Halladay saga is officially over, Phils fan may find it easy to forget how Lee made it to the Phillies. Thanks to the Phils general manager, Ruben Amaro Jr., the Phillies were able to bring one of baseball’s premier starting pitchers to the team while avoiding giving up some of their best prospects. If Lee continues his dominant performance in the National League, and continues swinging the bat (haha), the Lee trade could go down in Phillies history as one of their best trades ever.

Another key fact that Philly fans may tend to forget as they continue to praise and watch the great Lee purely dominate on the mound, is the second part they acquired in the trade. Outfielder Ben Francisco has started in Shane Victorino’s place, who is suffering from a bruised knee, and has turned out to be a great pickup for the Phils. He fills the role of a right-handed bat the Phillies had been seeking since last offseason. Though Francisco only went one for four in last night’s game, he showed off his power and how he could contribute to the ball club. In his first at-bat, Francisco drilled a one hopper to third baseman Pablo Sandoval, who couldn’t handle the heat. In his next three at-bats he hit a double off the left field wall, and nearly two homers that would have left Citizens Bank Ballpark if the Phils were playing at home. The power and hopefully consistency is a sign for the Phillies that Francisco is someone who can be relied on to contribute a few clutch base hits as September and the playoffs creep upon them.

I know it’s only been two games since Lee and Francisco joined the Phillies, but with their performances so far, the Phillies have a lot to look forward to for the rest of the regular season, and far deep into the playoffs.