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Michael Saunders was so close to being in the 2009 Cliff Lee trade he packed his bags for Philly

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Remember the lopsided trade the Phillies made that sent Cliff Lee to Seattle? How could you forget the three players received: Tyson Gillies, J.C. Ramirez, and Phillippe Aumont.

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Phillies spring training, Feb. 15

Well, that deal almost wasn’t so bad. Michael Saunders, who signed last month with the Phillies, was told on that December 2009 day that he was headed to the Phillies as part of the trade.

“My agent told me to pack my bags,” Saunders said. “I was in Arizona and we just moved apartments.