I heard the news of the trade on my way to San Francisco last Wednesday during a stopover at the Denver airport: Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco of the Cleveland Indians to Philadelphia for prospects Carlos Carrasco (sigh), Jason Donald, Lou Marson, and Jason Knapp. The key to the trade was no doubt the 18-year-old flamethrower Knapp. I've got to admit, though, that it was a good trade, even if I had no idea who Francisco was. But Amaro did a great job in getting an ace without giving up the farm. And he did it with stealth. So far Ruben Amaro Jr. has picked up where his genius predecessor at general manager left off.
There's still lots of juggling ahead with the roster. Rodrigo Lopez has been sent to the bullpen but that still leaves six starters if you count Pedro Martinez. John Mayberry Jr. and Stephen Register were sent back to Lehigh Valley to make room for Lee and Francisco, but more moves will be needed when Clay Condrey, J.C. Romero, and Chad Durbin come off the DL. Meanwhile, Joe Savery was promoted from Double-A Reading to take Carrasco's spot in the Triple-A rotation. And much-touted prospect Dominic Brown is now in Reading, which is where Pedro will be pitching another rehab assignment tomorrow night.
