Acquiring Cliff Lee

‍In a move that propels them into the 2009 World Series, the Philadelphia Phillies 17 years ago today trade four minor leaguers to the Cleveland Indians for pitcher Cliff Lee, who just a season before wins the 2008 American League Cy Young Award. ‍

Lee promptly wins seven of his 11 decisions with the Phillies before going 4-0 in five postseason starts – including wins in both of his World Series starts against the New York Yankees.

Of the four minor leaguers the Phillies send to the Indians for Lee, only pitcher Carlos Carrasco becomes a contributor in the majors, going 112-105 over the next 16 seasons with Cleveland, the New York Mets and then back again with Cleveland before pitching last season for the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves.

Carrasco, now 39, has been spending this season shuttling back and forth between the Braves and their Class AAA team in Gwinnett, Ga.

As for Lee, the Phillies trade him after the 2009 season to Seattle for three more minor leaguers before eventually reacquiring Lee as a free agent following the 2010 season.

In all, Lee spends five seasons with the Phillies, going 48-34 in 118 starts with a 2.94 earned-run average.

He finishes his career in 2014 with a record of 143-91 in 328 appearances with a 3.52 ERA.

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