Trade round-up from Wednesday

There were many trades on Wednesday, just two days before the Major League Baseball non-waiver Trade Deadline. Here's a look at the deals and the winners:

1. Philadelphia acquired LHP Cliff Lee and OF Ben Francisco from Cleveland for RHP Carlos Carrasco, RHP Jason Knapp, C Lou Marson and SS Jason Donald. My previous entry has my thoughts about this deal, suffice it to say, the Phillies killed this 0ne. Winner: Philadelphia
   
   
2. Seattle acquired SS Jack Wilson, RHP Ian Snell and cash from Seattle for SS Ronny Cedeno, 1B/C Jeff Clement, RHP Aaron Pribanic, RHP Brett Lorin, and RHP Nathan Adcock. Despite none of the prospects being ranked higher than No. 24 by Baseball America to start the season, Pribanic and Lorin are having excellent seasons, while Adcock is struggling a little. This trade is somewhat baffling, as Seattle had been rumored to be moving Jarrod Washburn. The trade with Pittsburgh shows Seattle thinks it can still contend in a load American League. Wilson is a solid defender at short and Snell has great stuff, but he hasn't been the same since his breakout 2007 season. Winner: Pittsburgh
   
   
3. San Francisco acquired 2B Freddy Sanchez from Pittsburgh for RHP Tim Alderson. This was my favorite trade of the day. As a Dodger fan, it's always nice to see the Giants give away talent for decent players. Alderson was ranked No. 4 by Baseball America to start the season and was ranked as a Top 50 prospect in all of baseball in its mid-season rankings. It isn't everyday the Pirates get over on a team, let alone twice in one day! Winner Pittsburgh

Dodgers miss out on Cliff Lee, goes to Philly

Earlier today, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired LHP Cliff Lee and OF Ben Francisco for four prospects. The four prospects the Phillies dealt were RHP Carlos Carrasco, RHP Jason Knapp, SS Jason Donald and C Lou Marson. Lee is the reigning Cy Young Award winner in the American League.

The Dodgers were said to be very interested in Lee, but apparently a deal could not be struck. The Phillies made out like bandits in this trade. Carrasco is the best prospect in this deal, but he's had a really tough season at Triple-A Lehigh. Knapp is a high-ceiling guy, but there are concerns about his mechanics, injury concerns (he is on the DL in the minros right now) and profiles as a reliever. Donald is a utility infielder and Marson is a decent catching prospect. However, the Indians have Carlos Santana, whom the Dodgers traded to Cleveland last year for Casey Blake. He is one of the best catching prospects in all of baseball.

The question now, is, what are the Dodgers going to do before Friday? I think they had their sights set on Lee, but that option is gone. Roy Halladay is likely too pricey, though, I think the Dodgers could still explore that option. George Sherrill seems to be atop the list of potential acquisitions for L.A. However, time is running out. The Dodgers are almost forced to counter the Lee trade if they want to compete with the Phillies in the postseason.