The Phillies ended up filling a hole in their bullpen by acquiring veteran reliever Arthur Rhodes from Cleveland for outfielder Jason Michaels.
Rhodes, a 36-year-old lefthander, will become the Phillies' primary set-up man. His addition allows the team to move righthander Ryan Madson into starting rotation.
"Arthur helps us strengthen our bullpen, which is one of the areas we felt needed to be addressed," Phillies general manager Pat Gillick said.
Michaels, 29, was a productive hitter in a part-time role during his four seasons with the Phillies.
However, his time in Philadelphia ended in controversy. He was arrested July 3 for assaulting Philadelphia Police Officer Timothy Taylor outside a nightclub. Michaels recently avoided a trial and was placed on six months' probation and ordered to complete 100 hours of community service. Taylor has filed a civil suit.
Michaels had mixed emotions about the trade when reached by telephone in Florida on Friday night.
"I'm sad and I'm excited," he said. "I'm sad to be leaving the Phillies and my teammates. I have a lot of friends and memories in that organization. The players, the coaches, the fans - everyone was great to me.
"But I'm also excited about the possibility of getting some more playing time. I hear Cleveland is a great place, too."
Michaels was asked whether he believed last summer's off-field incident played a role in the trade.
"No," he said. "Not one bit. It had nothing to do with what's going on."
Rhodes, who is signed through the coming season, was 3-1 with a 2.08 earned run average in 47 games for the Indians last season. However, he pitched in only four games the final two months of the season because of a stint on the disabled list (inflamed right knee) and time on the bereavement list due to a death in the family. Rhodes passed a physical examination in Philadelphia on Friday.
During a 15-year career, Rhodes is 75-55 with a 4.26 ERA in 598 games. He pitched for the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners while Gillick was GM of those clubs.
Rhodes will wear Michaels' old No. 22. The Phillies are his fifth team, his first in the National League.
Michaels is expected to see extensive playing time with the Indians, who agreed to ship starting leftfielder Coco Crisp to Boston in a separate deal that was close to being consummated on Friday night.
That multi-player deal was awaiting approval by the commissioner's office because the Red Sox were paying a significant portion of reliever Guillermo Mota's salary.
In addition to Mota, the Indians were set to get top third-base prospect Andy Marte, catcher Kelly Shoppach and a prospect to be named.
The Indians were set to send Crisp, pitcher David Riske and catcher Josh Bard to Boston.
Indians general manager Mark Shapiro called Michaels a hard-nosed player with a knack for getting on base.
Michaels was selected out of the University of Miami in the fourth round of the 1998 draft and twice hit .300 in part-time roles. Last year, he hit .304 with four home runs, 31 RBI and a .399 on-base percentage in 105 games. He recently was rewarded with a one-year, $1.5 million contract.
Michaels platooned with Kenny Lofton in center field for the Phillies last season. The November acquisition of centerfielder Aaron Rowand meant there would be no more platoon in 2006 and relegated Michaels to more of a reserve role. That, coupled with the emergence of Shane Victorino as a reserve outfielder, made it easier for the Phillies to part with Michaels.