According to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, the Phillies could be involved in a three-team trade revolving around Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee. ESPN.com is reporting that Seattle is the third team in the scenario, which would be the new home for Lee. Halladay would then be shipped here, with the assumption that prospects would be given to Toronto.
Reports have Halladay here in Philly for a physical, with his agent in town to talk about a possible contract extension. This is huge news, and although it would look like the Phillies would indeed lose Lee to gain Halladay, would it mean them keeping Happ, and possibly Blanton?
If that’s the case, I have to think the Phillies are even more interested. They clearly liked Halladay better at the trade deadline a year ago, but “settled” for Lee. And although Lee became a hero in this town for the stretch-run he gave the team, Halladay has the tools to be just as good, if not better. I think keeping Happ would be a plus. He’s under control for several more years and looks to be a solid #3.
UPDATE (3:37 pm): Jon Heyman tweets that Lee was not willing to give Phils a discount. Todd Zolecki claims this could be very close to being done.
UPDATE (3:55 pm): Heyman now saying deal is done, via SI.com.
UPDATE (Tuesday, 2:23 PM): Looks like the deal is complete. It’s two separate trades. Cliff Lee goes to Seattle. The Phillies get Phillippe Aumont, Tyson Gillies and Juan Ramirez for Lee. For Halladay, the Phillies trade Kyle Drabek, Michael Taylor, and Travis D’Arnaud to Toronto. The Phillies also get $6 million.
According to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com, the Phillies and Halladay have agreed to an extension. The contract is an average of about $20 million per year, taking Halladay through 2013.
Michael Taylor will likely be traded to Oakland for Brett Wallace, according to ESPN’s Buster Olney.
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