Report: Cliff Lee Claimed off Waivers, Joe Blanton Traded to Dodgers

The Philadelphia Phillies have continued remaking their roster after trading Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino at the trade deadline. For the first time in years, the Phillies were sellers at the trade deadline, and more moves have been made today.  

Joe Blanton was put on waivers by the Phillies, and the Dodgers then claimed and traded for the right-handed starting pitcher. The Phillies will receive a player to be named later or cash considerations. Blanton was expected to be traded at the trade deadline, but a deal with the Orioles fell through due to monetary issues.  

The Blanton move was expected. A more interesting story, however, is developing about Cliff Lee. Yesterday, the Phillies put Lee on waivers, with most expecting him to not be claimed because of his large contract.

But according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports, Lee has not cleared waivers. In Heyman’s tweet, no specifics were given, so Lee’s situation is currently up in the air.

If Heyman’s report is true, the Phillies will either have to pull Lee off waivers, let him leave or negotiate a deal with the team who claimed him.  

Updates will come as more details are released about Lee being claimed off of waivers.  

 

UPDATE 6:10 p.m. ET: Well, apparently the Red Sox are not the team who claimed Lee. 

UPDATE 8:32 p.m. ET: ESPN is reporting that the Dodgers are the team who claimed Lee. More to follow.

UPDATE 10:31 p.m. ET: Jon Heyman, CBS’s baseball insider who first broke the news of Lee getting claimed, tweeted that completing a trade for Lee is not very likely to happen. If a deal is not worked out, Lee would then just stay with the Phillies. If Lee was to be put on waivers a second time, the Phillies would not be able to pull him off like they can now, so Lee will almost definitely stay with Philadelphia for the remainder of this season.  

Read more Philadelphia Phillies news on BleacherReport.com