Jul 30 2008
As The Trade Deadline Approaches, A Look Back at Impact Deadline Deals: Bartolo Colon and Tim Drew for Grady Sizemore, Brandon Phillips, Cliff Lee and Lee Stevens
Grady Sizemore was once an unknown prospect moved for a top level star, now, he’s a franchise player.
As we approach the trading deadline, there is the usual chatter about high level prospects and veteran rentals. Teams looking to add and teams looking to sell. The moves that these teams make now can impact their futures for the next decade. One of the more intriguing trades of the past decade is a deal that took place in 2002 between the Montreal Expos and the Cleveland Indians. The Expos, who were at the time contending, acquired SP Bartolo Colon and pitcher Tim Drew in exchange for Grady Sizemore, Brandon Phillips, Cliff Lee and Lee Stevens.
At the time the Expos were praised for finally being a buyer when contending. Looking back six years later now, the trade is one of the most lopsided in recent memory. Colon, who is on the disabled list for the Red Sox, went 10-4 for the Expos but then was traded at the end of the season for Orlando Hernandez, Rocky Biddle and Jeff Liefer. He went on to win a Cy Young for the Angels. Drew is out of the league, and the Indians’ trade haul is outstanding. Sizemore is one of the top outfielders in the league, an All Star caliber player who has a legitimate shot at a 40/40 season. Lee has been the finest pitcher in the American League, and is the Indians’ Ace. Phillips, who was traded to Cincinnati, is one of the top five second baseman in the game, another power and speed threat like Sizemore who also plays excellent defense. Stevens is also out of the league, but the trade results are clear.
Montreal received three months of Bartolo Colon, and the Indians got their centerfielder for the next 10 years, a second baseman who appears to be destined for an all star level career, and an ace who may or may not keep it up, but will certainly be a mainstay of their rotation for the foreseeable future. Another cautionary tale for teams like Tampa Bay and Milwaukee, who are faced with the prospect of trading future for present for perhaps the first time.
