For the first time since the Expos traded an unpolished left-hander named Randy Johnson for Mark Langston to help their playoff drive in 1989, they actually gave up prospects instead of acquiring them. Here's a look at three minor leaguers headed to Cleveland:
Brandon Phillips, SS, 20 years old
Montreal's top prospect -- and perhaps the top shortstop prospect in the minors -- Baseball America ranked Phillips as the 20th-best prospect in baseball at the start of the season. He improved upon that status with terrific numbers in Double-A, where he hit .327 with nine home runs in 60 games, before a recent promotion to Triple-A. John Sickels describes Phillips has a potential "seven-tool" player if he improves his walk rate. Note: Omar Vizquel is signed through 2004.
Cliff Lee, LHP, 23
Lee, ranked only as Montreal's 11th-best prospect at the start of the year, blossomed into one of the top pitchers in the Eastern League, going 7-2 with a 3.23 ERA (7th) and 105 strikeouts (1st) in 86.1 innings. He relies on control, with just 23 walks, but has allowed 12 home runs.
Grady Sizemore, OF, 19
The Expos signed Sizemore to a $2 million bonus to lure him away from a football scholarship to Washington in 2000. He's a terrific athlete, but was hitting just .258 in the Florida State League. While's he's young for his league, his power has yet to develop (0 HRs, after just two last season in the Midwest League).
-- David Schoenfield, ESPN.com