Halladay to Phillies, Lee to Mariners...

[SidDithers]

breaking now.

http://www.drunkjaysfans.com/
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/12/14/phillies.halladay.lee/index.html

Sid

Edit: added SI link

[rep the dems]

1. Breaks my heart.

You can debate wheter Lee or Halladay is the better pitcher, but Cliff came to Philly and became an instant fan favorite. He was the only pitcher to hold his own in the World Series. The idea was to get two great pitchers at the top of the rotation, not trade one for the other and pick up an even bigger salary in the process.

Not liking this deal at all.

[hughee99]

12. As soon as I heard about it, I was trying to figure out why Philly would do this...

As far as I could figure, it only makes sense if they know they can't resign Lee, and pretty sure they could resign Halladay. I'd think the deals they may be looking at are similar in dollar value, though Lee, being younger, may want more years.

[SidDithers]

13. Yup, that's what I'm hearing too...

Lee wanted a 5 year deal, which the Phillies wouldn't do. It's being reported that Halladay has signed a 3 year extension for $60 million (not sure if that's 1 year left on his contract + 3 extension = 4, or the 3 years @ $20 per wipes out the remaining year of his existing contract)

Kieth Law was just on the Fan590, our sports station up here, and thinks the Phillies got the worst of the deal, paying a very high price in Drabek, Taylor and d'Arnaud for the marginal upgrade of Halladay over Lee. But they're getting years too, so that's something to also consider.

Sid

[hughee99]

14. If they were going to lose Lee at the end of the year

and could lock up Halladay for a few years, they had to make the deal. The loss of Drabek hurts, but they are getting some prospects in return if the story I just read is accurate.

[SidDithers]

15. Buster Olney at ESPN is reporting...

Hallady deal is done. He'll get:

15.75 mil for 2010 (last year of existing contract)
60 mil for 2011-2013
Options for 2014 and 2015 based on durability, worth another 35.75 mil

Phils have Halladay for 4 years, and possibly 6, based on durability.

Sid

[rep the dems]

17. That seems to be the case.

Might have been nice to just keep Lee for the one year with Halladay even if we know he won't be back in 2011. I think if Cliff had known it was likely his last shot to win a World Series with the Phils and he had Doc to complement him then he would have been superb. But alas it was not to be.

I'll continue to support and admire Cliff Lee for his work ethic, talent, and class. Hell of a guy Seattle's getting.

[SidDithers]

18. If you liked Lee for his work ethic, talent and class...

you're going to fucking LOVE Roy Halladay.

And, he's going to make every other pitcher on your staff better too, just by osmosis.

Sid

[rep the dems]

19. I don't doubt that you're right.

As I've come to understand the trade a little better, I've gotten a little more focused on what we gained rather than what we lost, and I am EXTREMELY excited to see Doc pitch for us.

But nevertheless, Cliff Lee has earned my respect and I'll root for him wherever he goes.

[SidDithers]

20. Same with Halladay for me...

My fave NL team has been the Phillies since Mitch Williams served up that gopherball to Joe Carter in 1993 :) The Pat Gillick connection reinforced it, and now Halladay has cemented that opinion. I'll be watching with great interest to see how he performs against NL hitters.

Doc gave us 10 amazing years in Toronto. He's the ultimate professional pitcher. Goes about his business, doesn't cause any trouble, gets guys out. And it's pretty easy to get used to his 2hr 15min complete games. Wonder if he can hit :)

Sid

[Auggie]

2. Why give up Cliff Lee?

"The Phillies tried to acquire Halladay last season, but couldn't agree to terms with the Toronto Blue Jays."

espn.com, LINK: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4742072

Mmmm...

[joeybee12]

4. I don't understand it either...Lee is great...

if they had two of him, they would have beaten the Yankees...

[SidDithers]

3. Seeing reports of Phillipe Aumont from Seattle...

and Michael Taylor from Philly, both going to the Jays.

Sid

[BOSSHOG]

5. NOOOOOOOOOO!!! Next you'll be telling me

the Saints are trading Drew Brees for Tom Brady ....

Damnit Phillies

[Mojambo]

6. The two M's prospects that seem to be going for sure

Phillip Aumont (RHP) looks like future closer.
Michael Saunders (LH) OF.

I also have heard Tyson Gilles and Brandon Morrow mentioned. I doubt all four are in the deal.

Looks like a fantastic deal for Seattle.

[Upton]

7. It's only a good deal for the Mariners

if they can get Lee signed to a long term deal...I believe he's a free agent after this upcoming season.

[Mojambo]

8. I don't think that's necessarily true

He instantly becomes a very fine trade chip at the deadline should they fall out of the race.

And he's a type A free agent so even if he leaves they recoup a significant amount of value they are giving up in compensation draft picks. Billy Bean plays this game an awful lot to very good success.

Best case scenario is of course resigning him, but if he pitches them into the playoffs for the first time since 2001 and then leaves them with only the draft picks it's still a pretty good deal.

There's some risk in acquiring a guy on his last year, but there's also a lot of upside and flexibility in how the club can proceed.

It's a good deal.

[Auggie]

9. He will be a free agent

I guess the Mariners are going for broke this year

[SidDithers]

10. More details now...

To Toronto:
Kyle Drabek
Michael Taylor
Travis d'Arnaud

To Philadelphia:
Roy Halladay
$6 million Blue Jays dollars
Phillippe Aumont
Tyson Gillies
Juan Ramirez

To Seattle:
Cliff Lee

Edit: all still rumours, nothing firm from the teams or the league yet.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091214&content_id=7808166&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

Sid

[Mojambo]

16. Even better for Seattle.

Didn't have to give up Morrow, Saunders OR Triunfel for Lee.

Brilliant work by Z.

[SidDithers]

11. Oakland now involved too...

Michael Taylor won't even cross the border into Canada, but will go straight to Oakland. Jays to get Brett Wallace in return.

Sid