Howard Megdal called the Cliff Lee trade “a big win” for the Phillies. Although there is no doubt the Phils are better today than yesterday, I think the Mets also won by Cliff Lee going to the City of Brotherly Love.

Roy Halladay is a top of the rotation ace and arguably the best pitcher in baseball. Cliff Lee is a nice #2 starter. That is exactly what Philly needed behind Cole Hamels, but it doesn’t widen the gap in the NL East like the potential Halladay acquisition. If Doc was in Philly, Cole Hamels would have become the best #2 in the game.

I found it interesting how Lee was given #1 starter respect while he was on the block. His record last year, 22-3, indicate ace, but the numbers dictate otherwise (WHIP and BAA are very ordinary). Don’t forget that he spent a nice chunk of time in Buffalo working out performance issues in 2007. There were rumors back then that the Mets were even looking to acquire him during that offseason. When you break it all down, 2008 was an outlier in his career. What you will get is something in between, which is good, not great.

The Phillies should go on to win the NL East. They may even have a nice shot at repeating this season. If they had the stomach to give up Kyle Drabek, an unproven commodity with a repaired arm, they could have locked up the NL East, and maybe the entire league through 2010. Instead of the Cadillac they went with the safe family sedan. That is good enough for 2009, but keeps the Mets, and the rest of the National League, right there in the room for the forseeable future.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com

Mike Silva

View all posts by Mike Silva
Mikes website

Tags: Cliff Lee, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Roy Halladay