SteveSilver.net

Happy Halladays!

Four days ago, Ken Rosenthal laid out a loony-tunes scenario on FoxSports.com: The Phillies, unable to sign Cliff Lee, trade him, in a multi-team blockbuster, that lands them the pitcher they really wanted last year, Roy Halladay, who would then agree to a deal with the Phils. "Call it a hunch," he wrote.

Crazy, right? Until guess what- it happened today:

An agreement is now in place to send Roy Halladay to the Phillies, Cliff Lee to the Mariners, and prospects to the Blue Jays, major-league sources confirmed to FOXSports.com.

The sources said Phillipe Aumont — a Canadian right-hander — is among the players headed from Seattle to Toronto in the deal; the source added the Philadelphia is expected to send one of its outfield prospects, possibly Michael Taylor, to the Blue Jays.

Yes, it's a huge risk for the Phils. They get rid of Lee about six weeks after he won two World Series game for them and was lights-out throughout the playoffs. And Halladay is older than Lee. But, they're trading, essentially, one year of Lee for five of Halladay, and will have the top of their rotation (Halladay, Hamels, Happ) all locked up long-term. Plus, they keep Kyle Drabek, who will join them at some point next year.
The only part I don't like? I think Michael Taylor's going to be a special player. True, they don't need an outfielder for awhile, but still...

Posted by Stephen Silver at December 14, 2009 05:38 PM