Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Phils, Halladay agree to deal

The Phillies and Roy Halladay have agreed upon a three-year deal, and Halladay will likely be announced in Philadelphia today. There are plenty of opinions flying around about the deal which will see Cliff Lee depart for Seattle.

To land Halladay, the Phillies had to give up Lee. Payroll is a significant issue, but the fact that Lee would only be in the Phillies' uniform for one more season anymore is more of a factor. The Phillies will have Halladay, who is a better pitcher with a better track record, for at least three years. They would only have been able to keep Lee for one more season, as he seemed determined to test the market in the off-season and was reportedly seeking a "C.C. Sabathia type deal."

The Phillies are surrendering top pitching prospect Kyle Drabeck in the deal as well, but will receive a few of Seattle's top prospects in return for Lee. It is a bit of a complex deal, but the Phillies will end up with a better ace at the top of the rotation for longer, and are giving up some top prospects but gaining some.

Overall, it is a good move. Remember, there was an extended stretch during the regular season which Lee struggled mightily as a Phille. Halladay has a better track record and should bode very well against the National League after dominating the American League for years. He throws complete games, reducing the number of times fans have to ride the Brad Lidge roller coaster when Halladay starts a game.

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