Blockbuster Deal

Reports are swirling that Roy Halladay and his agent are held up in a Philadelphia Hotel and a deal to send him from the Blue Jays to the Phillies appears imminent.  A twist to this deal according to Jon Heyman of SI.com and MLB Network is that it is a three team deal involving the Mariners as well and that Cliff Lee will be heading from Philadelphia to Seattle. 

Roy Halladay is regarded as one of the best pitchers in all of baseball but Cliff Lee has been doing his best to at least try to join that discussion.  Lee was 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in the postseason with the Phillies last season after coming over from a trade with the Cleveland Indians last July.  This potential deal may benefit the Mariners the most who can now boast a top of the rotation which will have AL Cy Young runner up Felix Hernandez and October Ace of the Phillies, Cliff Lee.  The Phillies did get one of baseballs best pitchers, but their rotation behind Halladay will be a huge question mark. 

In other baseball news, it appears the Red Sox are on the verge of locking up John Lackey to a 5 year 85 million dollar contract.  This deal will give the Red Sox a very formidable top of the rotation which will include Beckett, Lester and Lackey. 

A.J. wants Halladay

A.J. Burnett thinks it's time for his friend and former mentor to get a fresh start, as reported by Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News. "He's paid his dues there, been the face of the organization, done everything they've asked him to do and more. At this point in his career, I think he just wants to win.  I don't think he would let anything distract him. He's not really the type of person that gets intimidated easily. It doesn't matter where he pitches; he's going to be the same. None of the stuff that goes on here would faze him at all." Burnett said of Halladay. 

Halladay has told the Blue Jays that he is willing to waive his no trade clause in a deal to the Yankees.  It is also being reported that Burnett has given the Blue Jays a deadline to trade him by the start of Spring Training.  If he is not traded by that time, he would not approve a trade after that. 

After CC Sabathia and AJ Burnett the Yankees rotation is a question mark.  It's no given that Andy Pettitte will be back.  He could choose to retire or pitch closer to home again, though the latter doesn't seem very likely.  Chien Ming Wang will be coming back from shoulder surgery.  Joba and Hughes have experienced much success out of the pen, but not much in the rotation.  Other options would include Ian Kennedy and Alfredo Aceves.  Some might say it's over kill, but I think Halladay or another starter could be a necessity for this team if they look to repeat in 2010.