…sunuva bitch…
The news is breaking (thanks to ESPN Jayson Stark) that the Phillies are close to agreeing to an extension with right handed pitcher, Roy Halladay. If/when this deal is finalized? A three team trade will be announced between the Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, and Philadelphia Phillies.
The only other name being named in this deal: Cliff Lee would go to the Seattle Mariners . As a Mets fan I’m thankful that the Phillies will have to give up Lee to get Halladay. I’ve already been bombarded with friends, all Phillies fans, who have the nerve to be cranky that the Phillies “OMG GAVE UP LEE!” Same people that were bitching a week ago when the Yankees traded for Curtis Granderson.
This would make the Phillies, who were probably already the favorite, an even heavier favorites in the NL.
Its a great move for Philly who didn’t have much in the way of a good, let alone GREAT right handed arm in their rotation. They were Lefty heavy with: Lee, Hamels, Happ. I’m guessing Hamels wasn’t enough for the Mariners, and that the Phils didn’t want to part ways with Happ. So that means Lee is the guy that ends up having to go to make this three way happen.
I’m very interested what prospects end up moving. LIving in the philadelphia area I’m very familiar with the Phils farm system. The Mets fan in me hopes they get fleeced… but their management had demonstrated that they’re way too good for that. So they tried to get Halladay back in July… failed. Landed Lee. Lee ends up upping HIS value and then they turn Cliff Lee into Roy Halladay anyway!
It is further demonstration that the organization in Philly is one of the best in baseball, right now. I’d say they, and their GM Ruben Amaro are the tops in the NL. And in the top 4 in all of baseball. They do it without having to spend a GDP of a European nation (like the Yankees). They don’t spend it ridiculously all the while pissing away their farm system (my Mets). When I boil it down to smart management, its them, Anaheim, and Boston. Three incredibly successful teams over the past 4-5 years… and in Anaheim and Boston’s case going back into the turn of the 2000′s.
but anyway… Roy Halladay a Phillie?
Phuck that.
To be honest, while it trades a left for a righty they desperately need, I can’t see the Phillies as being that much better off with this deal, especially with Hammels being iffy after that post season performance and I really wouldn’t have liked to give up Kyle Drabek either while giving up on Cliff Lee.
I know it would cost money, but why not jettison Blanton in a trade to save some cash, and fork over the money for Lee. Let’s be honest – Halladay, Lee, Happ, Hammels? They could have written the post season check for the next 3-5 years and the dominance they could show with attendance and post season revenue would have been worth it IMO. That rotation would make them the best team in baseball hands down.