Ruben Amaro: “Victorino and Pence Couldn’t Handle the Load This Season.”

You can call it a "firesale" if you'd like, but it wasn't like what we've seen from other organizations in the past, such as the Florida Marlins.

Phillies GM Ruben Amaro, Jr was able to hold on to his ace of aces in Cole Hamels and did not decide to trade Cliff Lee, who is owed $90M.

He traded fan favorite Shane Victorino to the Los Angeles Dodgers, who was in Philadelphia for 8 years.

He also traded Hunter Pence, who was acquired from the Houston Astros at last year's trade deadline for a hefty price.

Amaro has taken much criticism this season for some of the moves he made coming into this season and defended his actions on Mike and Mike In The Morning Thursday morning.

How close was Cliff Lee to being traded to Texas?  Will the pieces acquired in the Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino trades have an immediate impact on the Phillies?

The Phillies GM answers these questions and more below: