Phillies acquire awesome Lee

PHILADELPHIA – Looking for an ace to bolster their so-so rotation, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired Cliff Lee from the Cleveland Indians, who traded the reigning pitcher of the year for the second straight season on Wednesday.

The World Series champion Phillies are sending Cleveland four minor league prospects for Lee and outfielder Ben Francisco, an official familiar with the trade told The Associated Press.

The deal is pending medical reviews. Those reviews could take a while because three of the players the Indians are getting from Philadelphia have dealt with recent injuries.

The National League East-leading Phillies are sending Triple-A pitcher Carlos Carrasco, infielder Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marson along with Single-A pitcher Jason Knapp to Cleveland.

Last year, Cleveland dealt CC Sabathia, then the reigning Cy Young winner and in the final year of his contract, to the Milwaukee Brewers. Sabathia helped pitch the Brewers into the playoffs before signing a $161 million, seven-year contract with the New York Yankees.

Lee turns 31 next month and his contract includes an $8 million club option for next season.

“The Phillies are the defending world champions, they’re a good team and they’re in first place,” Lee said before the Indians played the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. “Honestly, it’s an honor and I look at it as a good thing. If other teams are wanting me and are willing to trade some of their key players and future players for me, it’s a compliment.”

Lee gives the Phillies another top starter to join Cole Hamels. The left-hander is 7-9 with a 3.14 ERA in 22 starts this season after going 22-3 with a 2.54 ERA last year. Hamels, the MVP of the World Series, has been inconsistent this season. He’s 7-5 with a 4.42 ERA.

The Phillies have a comfortable lead in the division – seven games ahead of second-place Florida going into Wednesday’s games.  (AP)