Report: Diamondbacks, Phillies discussing Justin Upton, Cliff Lee swap
The Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies are discussing a blockbuster trade involving outfielder Justin Upton and pitcher Cliff Lee, according ESPN.com's Pedro Gomez.
The Diamondbacks, one of the more active teams at the Winter Meetings based on reports out of Nashville, could land Lee for Upton, with the Phillies sending additional money to Arizona, Gomez tweeted.
https://twitter.com/pedrogomezESPN/status/276078386198228993
But Arizona general manager Kevin Towers has long coveted a young shortstop, and Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan is reporting that Upton and Lee could simply be the foundation of a larger deal.
https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/276080208665251841
https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/276082070189637633
Multiple other reporters are refuting the rumor, including CSNPhilly.com's Jim Salisbury and CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman, as well as Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson:
https://twitter.com/jcrasnick/status/276086590886002690
The Phillies reportedly considered trading Lee, 34, at last season's deadline in the midst of just the second year of a five-year, $120-million contract. He finished the season with a 3.16 ERA and 207 strikeouts to 28 walks. During the 2009 offseason, Lee was involved in a stunning three-way trade that sent him to the Mariners for prospects, with the Blue Jays also sending Roy Halladay to Philadelphia for prospects.
