SI.com’s Jon Heyman tweeted that the Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, and Seattle Mariners have agreed to a blockbuster three-team trade involving aces Roy Halladay (RHP) and Cliff Lee (LHP). As part of the trade, the Phillies would receive Halladay with Lee going to the Mariners. Todd Zolecki of MLB.com verifies Heyman’s report and says it is not known yet what each team will receive in the deal. I expect the Blue Jays will receive a few top prospects in the deal in return for a pitcher of Halladay’s caliber. The Phillies are rumored to be working on a contract extension with Halladay, as he is due to become a free agent after this upcoming season. Ironically enough, the Phillies were interested in trading for Halladay at last season’s trading deadline before settling on a deal with the Cleveland Indians for Lee.
A trade of this magnitude is typically very hard to complete with three teams, especially with two former Cy Young winners involved in the deal. However, each team has seemed to make it work and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Mariners attempt to lock up Cliff Lee long-term because he is due to become a free agent after the upcoming season as well.
It’s no secret the Phillies have been interested in Halladay for quite some time as previously mentioned. It’s not often a pitcher of Halladay’s caliber becomes available in a trade before he hits the open market. Landing Halladay gives the Phillies an elite pitcher with a bulldog mentality who is a threat to pitch a complete game every time out. The Phillies have further set themselves up as the team to beat in the NL as they combine a great rotation with a dynamic offense.
As for the Mariners, this is another important piece in their quest to dethrone the Los Angeles Angels’ reign on the AL West. This trade gives them one of the best 1-2 punches in all of baseball with Felix Hernandez and Lee. The Mariners are putting together a pretty successful off season so far with this trade and the signing of Chone Figgins to play third base. The pressure is now on the Angels to make a big splash to combat the Mariners moves as they have lost both Figgins and John Lackey this off season. The Angels are reported to be on the verge of signing free agent Hideki Matsui( DH/OF).
It should be interesting to see what the Blue Jays receive in this deal. I would expect the quality of prospects to be pretty high as two aces have changed places in the deal. Andrew Swanson highlighted the task held in front of new Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos previously on the site.
I’ve been very impressed with the Mariners this off season. If they get Jason Bay they can make a serious run at the Angels next year.
man did this come out of nowhere? as a cubs fan i am so happy that the phils aren’t going to have a cliff lee, cole hamels, roy halladay rotation. even though hamels struggled last year that is one heck of a threesome to head your pitching rotation.
but really were the phils talkin of gettin rid of cliff lee the whole time if they could get halladay? i would have tried to trade cole hamels but i mean that just me.