Phillies Nation

173 Responses to “Failed Physical Won’t Delay Trade”

1. Steve-o Says:
   December 16th, 2009 at 1:12 pm

   Probably just being too optimistic, but I have to say the first thing I thought about when reading the report was that fate was keeping Cliff Lee in Philly.

2. Don M Says:
   December 16th, 2009 at 1:14 pm

   Cliff Lee could stay put… for another week or two

3. joe Says:
   December 16th, 2009 at 1:14 pm

   gotta be Drabek or Aumont…

4. just saying Says:
   December 16th, 2009 at 1:15 pm

   beautiful! shut the trade down, start over, ship fat joe to japan, keep lee, win world series, lather, rinse, repeat. It’s not too late!!!!

5. The Dipsy Says:
   December 16th, 2009 at 1:23 pm

   YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES

   This is a failed physical by a SEATTLE player. Correct me if I’m wrong, but if it were a Blue Jay, then Halladay would not be a Phillie because Toronto could not make the trade. My cynical side says that a Seattle player (Aumont – elbow) “failed” his physical. This allows Ruben to back out of the Mariners trade. I hope thats it.

   The Dipsy

6. John Says:
   December 16th, 2009 at 1:24 pm

   Please God…all I want for Christmas is Cliff Lee

7. joe Says:
   December 16th, 2009 at 1:26 pm

   guys…

   CLIFF LEE IS BEING TRADED BECAUSE THEY CAN’T AFFORD HIM

   they’ll just substitute another player and still trade him

8. John Says:
   December 16th, 2009 at 1:27 pm

   They can afford him, this isn’t about cash, it’s about restocking the farm.

9. Steve-o Says:
   December 16th, 2009 at 1:29 pm

   Latest news from Shi Davidi of The Canadian Press says Phillippe Aumont passed.

   Gotta think it’s Drabek, (TJ Surgery concerns?). If it’s Drabek, this deal is going to go into a tailspin. Still holding out hope it’s a Mariner though…

10. The Dipsy Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 1:29 pm

    NO! If Aumont failed the trade is off and should stay off. The Mariners don’t have anyone they would substitute.

    The Dipsy

11. John Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 1:29 pm

    If it’s Drabek…then we may actually HAVE to make it a real 3 way trade.

12. Steve-o Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 1:29 pm

    Also, since the report was broken by a Toronto reporter, you’ve gotta think this is a prospect from Philly, right?

13. John Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 1:32 pm

    I’d assume it’s a Blue Jay or a Philly.

14. joe Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 1:33 pm

    i said all along that i LOVED this trade

    everyone else was flipping out because they didnt want precious Drabek to go

    well…if he failed… then….

15. John Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 1:34 pm

    The trade for Halladay is fine, sucks to lose Drabek, but I’d rather have Doc. But of course this could really jack this all up

16. joe Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 1:35 pm

    if Drabek failed…

    there goes leverage in any trade…he was the guy every team wanted (after doing not much by the way)

    and now he failed a freakin physical….

17. The Dipsy Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 1:35 pm

    The trade for Halladay can’t be fine if Drabek failed unless Toronto takes him anyway…what are you talking about?

    The Dipsy

18. John Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 1:37 pm

    I’m talking in general, as a trade. Not specifically about any injuries since it’s speculative at this point

19. joe Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 1:40 pm

    Halladay signed an extension

    but it all will be removed and scrapped

20. Scott Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 1:46 pm

    How can you say “The good news is that Roy Halladay is definitely a Phillie” unless you know that all prospects have passed their physicals?

21. Filly Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 1:51 pm

    KEEP LEE..KEEP LEE..KEE LEE..KEEP LEE.. KEEP LEE..KEEP LEE..KEEP LEE..
    Yo, Rubin….You are the best because you always find a way….we’ll build you a statue, but KEEP LEE..KEEP LEE..KEEP LEE..KEEP LEE..KEEP LEE..KEEP LEE

22. Corey Seidman Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 1:51 pm

    Because he’s already passed his physical and signed an extension. Ruben Amaro was quoted as saying he hopes to make an announcement Thursday.

    Regardless of the outcome of the failed physical, Halladay will be a Phillie. If Drabek failed his physical, the trade can still go through (see Freddy Garcia to the Phillies a few years ago.)

23. PI Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 1:54 pm

    Agreed to an extension – not signed.

24. The Dipsy Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 1:56 pm

    Corey, but the trade can be stopped also, correct? I just don’t understand how, if a Phillie failed and the Jays want to stop the deal, why the Jays wouldn’t be permitted to. Were the trades NOT conditioned on physicals a la Gillick?

    The Dipsy

25. Corey Seidman Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 1:57 pm

    ESPN just changed their headline from “Halladay agrees to extension with Phils” to “Phillies GM hopes to finish Halladay deal soon”

    That’s not good news. Disregard the “definitely.”

26. The Dipsy Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 1:58 pm

    Quite simply, its seems to me that if Drabek failed, then Toronto has the option.

    The Dipsy

27. Corey Seidman Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:00 pm

    Dipsy, if the Jays want to back out due to a failed physical they can.

    I just do not see them doing so, because they won’t get anything better than this package from anybody else and it makes no sense to hold onto Halladay. I really see no possible way that the Phillies still dont end up with Halladay after all is said and done, even if it means the Jays disregard a minor elbow injury from Drabek or Taylor.

    Scott Lauber reports that Taylor missed 10 days in the Mexican Fall League with a mild elbow strain, but hit .308, proving that it didn’t effect his performance much.

28. Filly Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:02 pm

    Theives, Robbers, Pirates and more…..what ever it takes, Rubin….if the option is there, KEEP CLIFF LEE.

29. joe Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:03 pm

    if you failed a physical…

    this isn’t a minor injury

30. william Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:04 pm

    If drabek failed does that mean th phillies would have to sub in Happ?

31. Filly Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:04 pm

    It’s only 2 million….just raise the parking fees for spring training….c’mon…Monte and the boys are good for it….KEEP CLIFF LEE !

32. joe Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:04 pm

    if the jays want them to, then yes.

33. william Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    And if so that is a good enough reason to stop the Lee trade

34. The Dipsy Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:05 pm

    But a bigger question is, if its a Mariner that failed, would Ruben back out of that deal completely?

    The Dipsy

35. william Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    Owners need to man up and sign Lee to an extension especially after his agent came out and said they were not opposed to negotiations

36. joe Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    I doubt it…

    because they can’t get rid of Blanton that eaasily…they aren’t gonna find a team to give up decent prospects and pick up his salary….

    they’ll take another high prospect from the M’s

    FACE IT!!!

    LEE.HALLADAY.HAMELS FELL APART WHEN THEY SIGNED MOYER FOR TWO YEARS

37. The Dipsy Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    Let me say further, that if its Drabek’s elbow, who was shut down early this season by the Phils, and thje centerpiece of the deal, and the Jays take him anyway and he hurts that elbow again, then you will see another fired Blue Jays GM.

    The Dipsy

38. Corey Seidman Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:08 pm

    Joe – not true. It could very well be a minor injury. It’s actually a minor injury more often than not, when someone fails a physical.

    Drabek, Taylor, or D’Arnaud didn’t suddenly tear an ACL without the Phillies being alerted.

    Andy Martino is reporting that this won’t be a deal-breaker. Very good news.

39. Steve-o Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:09 pm

    Guys don’t get crazy. It’s a Phillie that failed. Lee is still going to Seattle.

40. The Dipsy Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:10 pm

    I don’t want an injured player. At all.

    The Dipsy

41. joe Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:10 pm

    i’m all for this trade

    give me Doc until 2014

42. The Dipsy Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:11 pm

    Well if Martino knows so much can he tells us who the player is?????

    The Dipsy

43. Don M Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:12 pm

    Seattle Times reporter said that its NOT a Mariners prospect that failed their physical

    Maybe its D’Arnaud.. he had a down season last year, maybe he’s got something nagging that was never diagnosed??

44. GWFightinsFan Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:15 pm

    Serves them right for being cheap asses…..

45. Manny Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:16 pm

    NO TRADE, please?

46. joe Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:18 pm

    hey..
    then it’s gotta be freakin Drabek

    AND IF HE FAILED A PHYSICAL… GOOD RIDDANCE

47. Don M Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:18 pm

    Ever wonder why the bigger-named “experts” are the ones to always break the big stories

    and the Andy Martino’s of the world give you just bits and pieces…

    the “smaller guys” are told by the teams and the sources that things are off the record.. or that they need to wait until such and such time to give details.

    The bigger guys like Heyman, Rosenthal, etc.. they just come right out and tell you everything, because the teams need these guys to talk about them, and get the PR they generate

    …
    Martino probably knows MORE than anyone else right now, but he won’t give the details.. you’ll hear the story from someone else first, because Martino doesn’t want to fall from good graces with the Phillies Front Office

48. psujoe Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:19 pm

    Believe or not one source is saying Wallace which is why the deal isn’t in danger of collapsing.

49. Corey Seidman Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:20 pm

    Completely correct, Don M. Team-affiliated writers gain much less from breaking stories than getting them right once all info is made public.

    This is why Martino, Murphy, Zolecki have reported much less on Halladay/Lee trades over the last few days than every national writer.

50. william Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:21 pm

    All I know is if they have to sub Happ and RAJ still trades Lee he should be fired

51. Corey Seidman Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:22 pm

    Where did you read that, PSUJoe?

52. joe Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:23 pm

    if it’s wallace..

    deal is done.

    if it’s drabek…
    WHO CARES?!

53. bob Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:26 pm

    It is were Wallace then how can there be all this hoopla over a failed physical?

    The Jays could just move Taylor to someone else if they wanted to and still have Drabek whom they really covet.

54. psujoe Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:29 pm

    Buddy told me the guy on phuturephillies said it. I don’t see anything on the site though.

55. philliesphan Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:33 pm

    If the toronto deal falls through, while nobody in the deal with Seattle failed his physical, then doesn’t that mean that the Phillies are in danger of losing Halladay AND Lee???

56. Georgie Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:36 pm

    If nothing else, you have to appreciate the drama that always seems to follow Phila teams.

57. psujoe Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:38 pm

    http://www.mlbtraderumors.com

    1:31pm: Jeff Blair of the Globe and Mail heard that the report of a failed physical is a “totally false rumour.” ESPN’s Shannon Drayer tweets that the deal is official and Lee is a Mariner.

58. Jeff of Nova Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    Where is this all being reported?

    Honestly if it is Drabek I think that could help the Phils. He is not damaged goods, he would just be hurt, no biggie. Send one of the Seattle guys and make this happen. Keeping Drabek would be a blessing

59. Corey Seidman Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:40 pm

    Deal’s done. Halladay’s a Phillie. Lee most likely a Mariner.

60. NEPA Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:41 pm

    Hey we could all be Pirate fans….they are arguing about the raise some peanut vender got this year.

61. Jeff of Nova Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:42 pm

    He is not Officially a Mariner, cause I am sure the Phillies will not do that trade till Doc is officially a Phillie

62. joe Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:43 pm

    WELCOME TO PHILLY DOC

63. Keith E Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:44 pm

    If the failed player is one of our minor leaguers then the Halladay deal can unravel and we lose both pitchers.(y?/n?) Why was RAJ in such a hurry to unload Lee?
    GO PHILS!!!

64. Jeff of Nova Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:45 pm

    http://twitter.com/ToddZolecki/status/6739714887

    5 oclock new conference introducing Doc

65. bob Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:46 pm

    Let the whining about Lee to Seattle officially recommence at 5 pm…..

    can we just let this go and welcome Doc to Philly with open arms now? The debate about prospects isn’t going to really be known for a few years. Halladay is known commodity. The Phillies budget is known. And we still have to address the bullpen.

66. NEPA Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:52 pm

    Never liked Cliff Lee anyway…….
    Cant wait till spring training.
    Go Phils.

67. joe Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 2:54 pm

    HALLADAY
    HAMELS
    BLANTON
    HAAP

    show me a better top 4 n the NL

68. Griffin Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:05 pm

    Carpenter
    Wainwright
    Lohse
    warm body

    But your point is well taken.

69. Griffin Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:06 pm

    Carpenter
    Wainwright
    Lohse
    Penny

    But your point is well taken.

70. Griffin Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:09 pm

    If Amaro dumped Lee for 40 cents on the dollar just to save money and then goes out and signs some boner like Fernando Rodney then I will be pissed. I’m still worried about his “they stole Brandon Lyon from us” comment.

71. Don M Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:11 pm

    Kyle Lohse sucks at pitching.. id rather have Kyle Kendrick

    Brad Penny is probably better, but that might be a stretch

72. The Dipsy Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:12 pm

    If I recall correctly, Freddy Garcia never failed a physical because he wasn’t given one.

    The Dipsy

73. joe Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:14 pm

    Blanton > Lohse

    Penny is a head case and fat ass

74. Jeff of Nova Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:17 pm

    Halladay >> Carpenter
    Hamels Lohse
    Happ > Penny

    Phillies > Cards

75. griffin Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:17 pm

    Vazquez
    Jurrjens
    Hanson
    Lowe

    That is the best rotation in the NL.

76. griffin Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:18 pm

    I forgot to add a healthy Tim Hudson in there as well.

77. Don M Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:19 pm

    Griffin.. you alright man??

    you used to be 100% on board with all the moves the Phillies were making.. not anymore?

    They can’t afford a payroll of $160

    the fact that they push $140 is very, very impressive, and we should all be greatful.

    Cliff Lee needed to get traded, because nobody will give you anything for Joe Blanton, because he’ll make $7+ Million.. and then become a Free Agent

    that isn’t worth a Top Prospect to most teams..

    We get Seattle’s top two pitching prospects, plus an outfielder.. sounds good to me

    Might have been better to just try to get Halladay last year for Drabek, Taylor, Carrasco, Donald/Marson… but Im pretty sure they tried that type of move, and Toronto said no. The fact that we gained some prospects back, for flipping Cliff Lee, is a very good move on Amaro’s part..

    We finally have/had a surplus of Top Prospects in our Farm System.. and Amaro used them as trade chips to win another title (while staying within the budget he was given) .. and he’s going to try to win a few Championships while we still have Howard, Utley, Rollins, Victorino, Ibanez, Werth, etc. ..

78. Don M Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:23 pm

    I think the Braves pitching staff is NASTY

    but Lowe had a down year last year, should be better… I doubt that Javier Vazquez will be as good as he was last year

    There is now some film on Tommy Hanson, so lets see how he responds in his second season.. can he make the adjustments?

    Jurrjens gives us fits.. he’s nasty

    and Hudson should be back in form after his tommy john

79. NJ Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:24 pm

    We still have a deep farm after this deal, although we have surrendered two top prospects and three of the next level it’s laughable how many near major league ready pitchers and all we’ve done with the positional players is skim off the top.

    Like ‘em or hate ‘em Kendrick, Carpenter, Bastardo, Naylor, Flande, Savery, Matheison, Sampson PLUS Aumont and Ramirez and all the others in GCL through AA who are developing and that doesn’t even touch on the guys behind Brown, Gose and the other bats.

    AND WE HAVE ROY FREAKIN’ HALLADAY FOR 4 YEARS (plus option year) at the minimum.

80. Jeff of Nova Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:27 pm

    Vazquez push with Hamels
    Jurrjens push with Blanton
    Hanson<Happ look at ROY voting
    Lowe <<<<< Braves

    Now you can put whoever in the NL on here The Phillies have the best staff either way that is how much better Halladay is than everyone in the NL. Cause he did all of what he did in the AL a hitters league over 10 years

    The Braves 1-8 hitters <<<<<<<<<<<<Phillies
    The Cards 1-8 hitters <<<<Phillies

81. just saying Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:27 pm

    BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

82. Jason Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:27 pm

    http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4748216

    it’s over

83. Jeff of Nova Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:28 pm

    take out Braves and put in Halladay above my mistyping

84. NJ Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:30 pm

    Don M- Agree on the Braves rotation, to me their the real threat in the NL (if they don’t drop off in the FO/clubhouse after Cox retires).

    Towards the end of last year I heard advanced scouts say TJ surgery on a guy like Hudson at his age actually has him throwing better than the couple of years leading up to the surgery.

85. psujoe Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:31 pm

    Good perspective NJ. I just wonder if the Jays would’ve taken Taylor and 3 top prospects from the Mariners for Halladay.

86. griffin Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:32 pm

    Don M, I have to say that I really, really hate this Cliff Lee trade. If it was about money, then just non-tender Blanton. If it was about prospects than get better ones. I have yet to see one prospect analyst that likes who the Phillies got for Lee. Why didn’t Amaro wait? Why did he trade Lee immediately?

    Since Amaro took over, he misread the market for Ibanez and overpaid him. Ibanez was fantastic in April and then hit .252 from May 1st on.

    Amaro inexplicably gave Moyer a 2 year deal.

    Amaro made a great trade to get Lee while not sacrificing the Phillies future.

    Amaro gave 2 year deals to veterans like Brian Schneider and Ross Gload and a guaranteed contract to a scrubby middle infielder who isn’t good enough to be in the major leagues at this point. He also guaranteed Polanco a 3rd year when everyone agrees that 3rd year could be ugly.

    So although I liked some of Amaro’s moves (the first Lee trade,the Park signing) I feel that any GM can gut their farm system to get Halladay. That move I am fine with but let’s not make Amaro out to be a genius for trading the future for Halladay.

    It’s the 2nd Lee deal that is so awful. The Seattle prospects are nothing special and he could have gotten a lot more for one year of Cliff Lee and his very reasonable $9 mil price tag.

87. joedad Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:33 pm

    Yippee Ki Yay Mothah Phillies!

88. griffin Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:36 pm

    The Braves rotation is nasty. Check out Jurrjens stats from last year. Comparing Blanton to him is laughable. Hanson is a stud and comparing Happ to him is silly as well.

    But the Braves lineup is weak. I think the Braves are the Phillies main competition in the NL, but the Phils with Halladay are the best team.

89. fightinphils Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:37 pm

    We were never going to have a rotation of Halladay/Lee/Hamels/Happ/Blanton. You guys are living in dream land. Back in July you all wanted to trade the farm along with Happ to get Halladay! To believe that the Phillies could lock Cliff Lee down to a long term deal is just retarded. He will go to whoever gives him the most money. Is this not the same group who bitched an moaned about the Yankees buying the World Series, and know you want the Phillies to do the same? We are not the Yankees and we can not afford to spend money like them either. We have a 3 year window to be a very competitve team. We will eventually lose much of are core talent to free agency and have to rebuild.

    THE PHILLIES TRADED OF HALLADAY BECAUSE THEY KNEW THEY COULD NOT LOCK DOWN CLIFF LEE TO A LONG TERM DEAL.

90. NJ Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:38 pm

    psujoe- I’m sure the first thing the Phils wanted to do was send the Seattle prospects direct to Toronto but the Jays have been eyeing our top prospects because of our previous attempt to trade for Halladay and that’s just how it works. As much as it hurts to loose Drabek and Taylor who were untouchable and yes it is a drop off but the Seattle prospects are still blue-chippers, Amaro made a better deal for Lee than the Twins did for the best pitcher in baseball Johan Santana.

    The cost for Halladay was going to be steep, in the end we’ve paid a lot less once ALL factors come together both in prospects and contract dollars that it was going to cost last summer or bidding on him in free agency.

91. Don M Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:40 pm

    Happ has done everything asked of him, and more since coming up to the majors

    he doesn’t get the credit he deserves

    …
    I really can’t believe that the Phillies get the “best pitcher in baseball”

    and instead of being happy, people are crying that Cliff Lee is gone..

92. bruno Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:40 pm

    Amaro sucks! At the least, he should have kept Lee and gone after Lee or Halladay at the end of the year. I am sure they would have got one of them. It is not like Halladay’s contract is some great deal for the phillies.

93. Hugh Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:41 pm

    Its official, LEE is a Mariner………Just Broke on KJR..(Seattle Sports Station)

94. griffin Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:41 pm

    Phightinphils, I think the Phils would have been better off trading for Halladay, keeping Lee, dumping Blanton,letting Lee sign with another team after the season and recouping the 2 draft picks to re-stock the farm.

95. Don M Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:43 pm

    Jayson Stark was RAVING about Aumont the other day.. that was when he thought that Aumont was going to Toronto in a 3-team trade

    maybe Jayson Stark doesn’t know everything.. but a 6′7″ power pitcher is a nice thing to have.. he’s like 20 years old and only has room to get better

    loaded with talent, that needs to develop.. Im guessing he’ll be working with Roy Halladay through each step of Spring Training

    COLE HAMELS.. … time to show that you are, in fact, an ACE.. I have phaith!

96. NJ Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:43 pm

    bruno are you kidding?? this year plus a 3 year plus option year deal is an INCREDIBLE deal for the Phils, he could have got 6 or 7 with options on the open market. Lee WANTED Sabathia money, Halladay WOULD HAVE GOT Sabathia money.

97. fightinphils Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:44 pm

    This time last year phillipe aumount was ranked a higher prospect then drabeck. then he had an off season with some control issues and dropped whil drabeck shot up through the rankings. It takes time to to tune prospects. Happ was highly touted and was suppose to make it to he majors quicker than kendrick. It took Happ 2 more years to live up to his potential! Carrasco was suppose to be a top of the roation guy?

98. NJ Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:45 pm

    nicely finished off there Don M.

    Cole WILL be better with a proper off-season to recuperate and prepare going into next year which he didn’t have last season coming off 270 innings which some fans just love to forget…

99. Hugh Says:
    December 16th, 2009 at 3:45 pm

    Not a bad 1-2 punch. Felix and Lee! woo- Hoo…. Not to mention Figgens from Angels too. M’s closer to winning west. Just need another big stick

100. griffin Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 3:46 pm

     The Phillies didn’t just gain the best pitcher in baseball, they gave away a top ten pitcher in baseball while trading away future stars. That’s a lot different than just adding the best pitcher in baseball.

     How many more games will the Phils win with Halladay instead of Lee in 2010? 1 or 2?

101. Don M Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 3:47 pm

     Halladay is probably getting paid $5 M less per season than his market value right now

     and the Phillies weren’t going to spend $100 Million on ANY pticher.. and would have been out-bid on either of these guys on the Free Agent market

     Cliff Lee will be a Mariner, Dodger, Cub, Yankee, or Angel next year… because those teams have money to spend..

     Instead of paying Lee $25 for 5 years.. we’re paying the better pitcher, Halladay, less money, for less year

     Thank you Ruben!

102. joedad Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 3:48 pm

     Halladay IS the best pitcher in baseball who accepted $4 million PER YEAR less to play for the Phillies in a relatively short term deal. Lee was not going to sign with the Phils long term so why take a chance of losing the opportunity to sign one of them? They have the best pitcher in baseball for the next 4 years. So quit yer bitching and enjoy your PERRENIAL PENNANT WINNING TEAM!!!

103. griffin Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 3:49 pm

     Fightinphils, drabek and Taylor are better prospects than Carrasco ever was. They dominated AA which is more than Carrasco can say. Happ was never a big time prospect.

104. NJ Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 3:50 pm

     Seattle’s pitching look great now ‘cept they stand to loose Lee in 1 or Felix in 2 years and both are going to make the Halladay deal look minuscule!

105. fightinphils Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 3:50 pm

     by the time any of these prospects are able to make a significant impact much of a core will be gone.

106. Don M Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 3:51 pm

     by the time next year’s draft picks are ready to play in the majors.. it will be 2015-2016

     Phillies needed to bring prospects back into the mix that could potentially be ready in 2-3 years

     …
     Why is everyone having so much trouble figuring out this deal?

     We didn’t have the money for both..
     Lee wanted too much money..
     Halladay settled for a team-friendly contract…
     We got prospects in return for Lee, instead of draft picks, which will help us much sooner..

     oh yea, and we now have the best pitcher in baseball playing for the Phillies

     Chris Carpenter and Tim Lincecum don’t have SHIT on Roy Halladay, NL CY YOUNG 2010

107. NJ Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 3:52 pm

     “by the time any of these prospects are able to make a significant impact much of a core will be gone.”

     AND to add to your point we still have prospects coming through at every level of the organisation in spite of both the initial deal for Lee and this deal for Halladay.

108. griffin Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 3:53 pm

     What I don’t understand is why people think Halladay took so much less to be a Phillie now but would have gouged the Phillies had he been a free agent after the ‘10 season. If he wanted to be a Phillies wouldn’t he have given them a sweet deal after this season as well?

109. fightinphils Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 3:54 pm

     that was my point griffin look how well happ turned out!! Carrasco was are top picthing prospect till last year followed by Bastardo. Some prosepects pan out and some don’t!! Less than 10% of them make it to the majors

110. Geoff Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 3:55 pm

     Theyll re-sign Felix In Seattle I think.

     This was a good deal given the fact that Lee wasnt going to resign. Its a good deal given any facts…its Roy Halladay.

     Also, I predict Lowe will get traded to the Angels within three weeks.

111. fightinphils Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 3:56 pm

     Griffin no player is going to give a team a discount just because he likes the organization.

112. griffin Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 3:56 pm

     Taylor and Drabek are ready to contribute THIS YEAR. It’s not like they are far off.

113. Hugh Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 3:56 pm

     NJ, your right of course, the futures are uncertin, but those of us in Seattle are looking forword to the 2010 season. Have to look forword to something. The Seahawks suck. Cant wait for APRIL!

114. griffin Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 3:58 pm

     Fightinphils, then why did Halladay take a discount to come to the Phils before ever throwing a pitch for them?

115. shag beta sigma delta Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:00 pm

     Like the some people are saying the phillies were never going to be able to keep Lee and Halladay, and would get nothing for Big Joe. So IF you keep LEE for one more year and let him walk you would have no idea who you would get from those drafts, and would not have anything in the farm system. And I am sure none of you even know anything about the guys we got from Seattle, that is why they had to trade Lee to keep the farm strong for the future. Also that is why they did not trade these guys last year for Doc. So I know it is against your nature as Phillies fans, but for now can you just be happy that the Halliday season has just begun in PHILLY.

116. psujoe Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:00 pm

     Don’t we all wish we could have been a fly on the wall. I would hope Amaro would’ve contacted the Angels and said “.. were about to trade Lee to you intra division rival. Here’s who we want from you Trevor Reckling, Alexander Torres and one of your Single A 3Bs. or Call the Red Sox and offer Lee for Bucholtz, and ?? Glad they told the Yankees to pound sand though.

117. NJ Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:02 pm

     Hugh good luck to you guys, better the M’s than the A’s to challenge the Angels. Just hope it doesn’t fall apart on you like the aftermath of Erik Bedard…

118. Geoff Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:02 pm

     Ill almost guarantee that the Angels go after Lowe actually…they have to…

119. griffin Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:04 pm

     Again, I don’t have a problem with the Halladay trade as much as I have a problem with the Lee trade.

     If you have the attitude of “some prospects turn out and some don’t, it’s a crapshoot” then you would like upgrading from Lee to Halladay. You also would have probably traded a skinny 2B prospect named Chase Utley for a cy young winner like Mark Mulder in 2004, but that’s another story.

     But if you actual check out some prospect rankings or go to a site like phuturephillies.com , then you will be severely disappointed by what the Phils got from Seattle.

120. joedad Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:07 pm

     Fightinphils, I would take less money to work for a company that is closer to my home and is a better company to work for so why do you think a baseball player wouldn’t do the same. I love that Halladay gave the Phils a $4 to $5 million discount!

121. NJ Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:08 pm

     griffin compare the Lee trade to the Santana one and the Twins were shopping him for half a year…

122. Jason Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:09 pm

     lol, Phillies did not get that much of a discount lol.

123. Hugh Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:09 pm

     Thanks, Me too. The good thing is that the GM that did the Bedard trade got FIRED shortly thereafter…… Bavasi put the team back 3 to 5 years withe the bone headed moves he made. Our new guy seems to be making the right moves. We still have the best bull pen in MLB. Also, it did not cost us much for Lee

124. shag beta sigma delta Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:10 pm

     The difference on why Halliday would take less because he wanted to play here and the Phillies gave shit up for him. If you just wait until he hits the open market some team (Yankees Red Sox Angles) would have put a longer more money offer out there, and he would have a hard time turning it down the Players Union would be all over his ass for taking a smaller $$ amount, along with all the agents out there. That is why you can get a discount on and extension easier then you can when the guy is on the open market.
     Just watched some film on the Pitcher from Seattle, and he looks like a stud to me, he has a little control problem, but he is only 20 years old. So can we at least wait and see who is better in the long run Drebek or Aumount(sp).
     Welcome to Philly Doc

125. Ed R. Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:17 pm

     The difference is that Halladay has already signed a big contract once before. He took a discount in that one as well but Lee hitting Free Agency next year will be Lee’s first opportunity to cash in. This is Lee’s chance, possibly his only chance to set himself and his family up for their future. That is why he wants a max contract. And he deserves it. He just won’t get it with Philly.

126. griffin Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:17 pm

     NJ, it’s true, that Johan trade was a joke. I believe that three of the four players the Twins received are no longer with the organization. Now THAT was a crappy trade.

127. psujoe Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:23 pm

     You have to ask yourself if you’d trade:

     Donald, Marson, Carrasco, Knapp for
     Francisco, Aumont, Ramirez and Gillies. throw in 2 months and PO of Lee.

     Pretty darn good if you ask me.

128. Jeff Dowder Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:24 pm

     This is the first I’ve heard of Freddy Garcia failing a physical. Is this verified somewhere? I had always heard that the Phillies decided that he didn’t require one.

129. joedad Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:25 pm

     Halladay accepted $20 million per year. Sabathia’s contract is $23 million per year. Santana’s is about the same. Halladay would have received at least $23 million per year and likely more. So let’s assume he gave the Phils anywhere from a $3 million to $5 million per year discount.

130. joedad Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:26 pm

     Well said psujoe

131. psujoe Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:30 pm

     Ken_Rosenthal

     Holdup in Halladay trade was TOR concern over Brett Wallace’s shoulder. He had an MRI, everything checked out fine. Goes to TOR for Taylor.

132. Don M Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:30 pm

     I’m willing to bet that the combination of Taylor, Drabek, and D’Arnaud

     will produce ZERO MVP awards
     ZERO Cy Young awards
     ZERO HR or Batting Titles

     and probably 3-4 All Star appearances

     Halladay will probably win a Cy Young or Two.. and pitch in each of the next Four All-Star games

     Cliff Lee has two good seasons on his resume.. he’s not GREAT

133. Jason Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:31 pm

     Does anyone think the Phillies have been a little shady with us? I feel like they are trying to spin this some way to make them look good (lol) and are treating us like we are complete idiots lol

134. griffin Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:32 pm

     Psujoe, very true. But as Corey Seidman said, in the firsy deal Amaro robbed the Indians blind and in the second deal he got robbed with his eyes wide open.

     Overall the results are about even, but it could have and should have been so much better.

135. Don M Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:36 pm

     Taylor has 33 games above the AA level

     HE IS NOT READY TO PLAY IN THE MAJOR LEAGUES YET!!!!

     we’ll maybe in Oakland, since they suck..

     Kyle Drabek gets rocked by Left-handed batters, because his changeup isn’t effective.. he will be good one day.. but it will probably be one day in 2011 or 2012

136. griffin Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:40 pm

     Don M, that’s like saying Chase Utley isn’t a star since he has no MVPs or batting titles.

     Taylor will be in the majors by the end of the season and Drabek will be in th Jays rotation by opening day 2011 at the latest.

     Aumont may take over for Durbin in 2011. Yay.

137. Maniac Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 4:56 pm

     i don’t understand ruben at all. he gets his man, halladay, then immediatley dumps lee off to seattle for 3 prospects. something sounds weird to me. any smart GM would take the best offer for a top 5 pitcher in the league. after his perfromance in the playoffs, cliff lee is worth way more than 3 junk prospects. why not just wait it out a few weeks and see if any good offers come your way ruben? why not look at other players to cut the payroll? blanton at 7 million could have been moved for a couple decent prospects. cliff lee ay 9 million isn’t worth it? i just do not understand this at all. you just gave seattle a diamond ring for christmas and their gift to you is 3 apple seeds. good job…

138. NJ Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 5:01 pm

     http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?topic_id=6261176

     link to the press confernece

139. Don M Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 5:10 pm

     Taylor will be in the majors by the end of the season

     …for one of the worst teams in baseball..

     Drabek will be in the Jays rotation by 2011

     … but let me know when he’s good enough to lead a team anywhere, I’m pretty sure the year will be 2014 at the earliest

     This is a WIN NOW strategy… and we got some prospects in return to give us a better chance at also winning in the future.

     Since when is CLIFF LEE a TOP 5 PITCHER in baseball??
     he had a great year in 2008, and very good year in 2009

     He isn’t better than:
     Halladay, Sabathia, Santana, Lincecum, Carpenter, …you could then make arguements for Beckett, Josh Johnson, John Lackey, Felix Hernandez, Jake Peavy, and a couple other guys too

     Cliff Lee is a very, very, very, very, very, VERY good pitcher
     But Roy Halladay is GREAT!

140. Jeff Dowder Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 5:10 pm

     RAJ is really tap dancing in this press conference…

141. Andrew Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 5:12 pm

     I like what he is saying. It makes sense.

142. Andrew Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 5:14 pm

     why do you insist on calling the 2 best pitching prospects in seattle junk?
     You guys kill me with the bitching. like he said you wanted to lose your entire farm system? He wants to contend in 2013. Thats his job. They have done ok the last few years ? no?

143. Don M Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 5:18 pm

     Ruben Amaro looks EXACTLY like Ari Gold from Entourage

     http://www.deadline.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/02/ari.jpg

144. Andrew Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 5:21 pm

     Look at Roy he is so happy and motivated to be here. This is going to be a fun season. How could a phillies fan not be thrilled today?
     I wonder if some of you booed the world series parade 2 years ago? They didnt win it by enough or something.

145. Morris Buttermaker Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 5:22 pm

     It’s pretty obvious that Ruben wanted to keep Lee but the higher-ups would not approve of the $9 million. His hands were tied.

     But all I know is that the Phillies just acquired the best pitcher in baseball and are one of the top two teams in baseball.

     It wasn’t that long ago the Phillies had guys like Robert Person and Terry Adams in thier starting rotation. I am thrilled to have Roy.

146. NJ Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 5:22 pm

     Ari Gold and RAJ… Jew massive!

147. The Dipsy Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 5:27 pm

     Alright. There he is. The Doctor. I’m pissed about Cliff, too, but now its time to close ranks and get behind Rube. He just got us the best pitcher in the game. I think if he could have kept Cliff he would have. Go Phils.

     The Dipsy

148. Andrew Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 5:33 pm

     Great day cant wait for the season.
     Lets hope our Doc doesnt become a crackhead like the Mets Doc did.
     Just a joke see you all when the season starts!

149. Brian of CO Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 6:03 pm

     I hope the failure doesnt affect who goes. I hope we keep Happ.

150. NJ Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 6:44 pm

     Most important thing now is to get a Doc Halladay fanclub name going that beats the Wolf Pack and Byrd’s Nest…

151. David Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 7:29 pm

     “why do you insist on calling the 2 best pitching prospects in seattle junk?”
     Please stop saying that these are the two best pitching prospects that SEA had. There not. Morrow is the best pitcher SEA had. Aumont is rated as the 4th best Mariner prospect, followed by gillie at 8, and ramirez at 18. http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=4748092&name=stark_jayson

     the phils got fleeced in the lee deal. put the koolaid down and just accept that they made a bad trade.

152. Just Crushed Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 7:41 pm

     Amaro treated Lee like a piece of meat….especially after what he did for the fans and organization in getting us to the series. he is a classless lying GM Should have kept him. Never remember the Phillies acting this way. The fans pay the bills…we will see what happens in a few years.

     As all the reporteres and announcers said today…this my friends was a salary dump. The fans and Lee were shafted. Thank you Blanton, thank you Moyer and thank Amaro.

     Amaro was a worthless player and is a worthless egotistical GM.

153. Wheres the Cash Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 8:27 pm

     I don’t understand why they cap themselves at 140 Million buckaroos! Ruben says pitching pitching pitching, cant have enough pitching, if someone is out there were gonna get em. I understand the trade and having to give up cliff lee….but is it possible that maybe Lee will be back when hes a free agent after next season?! After all Amaro thinks ahead a few years.

     Additionally, they increased ticket prices $2 a ticket with is an additional 18-19 million $ in the pockets of the phillies if all games are sold out ….and most if not all will be.

     Lee might be back, especially if hamels doesn’t get his head out of his A$$

     Sixers suck, Flyers are in the dumps, Spring training can’t come soon enought!

154. GWFightinsFan Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 8:31 pm

     Yes that’s complete b.s. when Amaro said it was a baseball decision to trade Lee. It was not. It was a salary dump, because the ownership wasnt willing to pony up the dough to at least keep Lee this season to match up with Doc and Hamels to create a potentially dominant rotation. Plus we lost 7 of our top ten prospects to end up with only Halladay, when we could have simply had him for only 3 of our top prospects last summer

155. shag beta sigma delta Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 8:55 pm

     The Jays would not trade Doc for what we gave them now last year the was the problem, also they would not give Phillies time to work on an extension.
     I get that some of if not all of us are mad that Lee is gone, but it is not as bad as most of you are saying, A prospect is just that, a maybe in the future thing. So before we bash the guys we got from Seattle can we at least see them play for a bit.

156. bluejaylifesentence Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 9:32 pm

     I have been a blue jay fan all my life – i live in toronto and go to a few games a year. it is great that Doc is going to a team where he will get the world series championship he deserves. prepare to be amazed phiil; this guy is the real deal. he was always too good for this second rate franchise they call a team here in toronto, (still i’m a fan. hopefully he pitches in toronto on june 25 when you guys visit town. i konw that everybody in that stadium that night will be cheering for Doc over the jays. you guys got one of the classiest guys in all of baseball. enjoy the next three+ years because you are in for a treat every 5 days.

157. joedad Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 9:33 pm

     Fun with math: “a $2 increase in ticket prices” times 3.5 million fans less raises to Howard, Utley, Werth, Victorino, Hamels, etc = “an additional 18-19 million $ in the pockets of the phillies” Amazing that I can’t get to the wild figures some people seem to pull out of their ass that a team with one of the highest payrolls in the game is somehow cheap.

     I know public schools are not what they used to be but this is ridiculous. My 8 year old daughter understands math more than some of you crybabies.

158. joedad Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 9:36 pm

     bluejaylifesentence – (excellent name by the way) The only thing I wish was that spiring training was tomorrow. I am so stoked that he is on our team. I remember he pitched a game in relief against the Phils a few years back and he was amazing.

159. Just Crushed Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 9:51 pm

     Here is a thought. Lee is upset…focuses on having a great year with the Mariners. Wins 20. Tests the free agent market as he said.

     Lee remembers how the Phillies treated him…seeks revenge.

     Omar gets fired from the Mets (the only GM worse than Amero). Mets offer Lee 5 years, 115 million to team with Santana.

     This my firends…can happen.

160. Griffin Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 10:06 pm

     I can definitely see Lee signing with the Mets. The Red Sox will be focused on re-signing Beckett. Lee will be in NY in 2011. The Mariners will get two draft picks and the Phillies will be stuck with the 2 relievers and the 1 non-prospect from Seattle.

161. Jesus Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 10:17 pm

     I am upset that we didn’t keep Lee to, but the deal still makes sense. Is it possible that the Phils truly rate the prospects they got from the M’s higher than others? Remember the Phils weren’t going to sign Lee after this year and would have received 2 picks for him. This way they received 3 players vs 2 picks. We have the best pitcher in the game for the next 4yrs at least. People need to take a step back and realize where we have come in the last few years. We have an organization and team that players WANT to come to. Halladay probably left anywhere from 15-25mill on the table to play for the Phils. That says a lot about what players think of our team and organization. Prospects are just that, no one knows what they are going to do. Look how many players have been labeled “top” prospects and failed and how many prospects have been looked over to become good or even great players.

162. sveninnyc Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 10:18 pm

     The ONLY thing that will end the doubts about the Cliff Lee trade will be the Phils winning the WS next year.

     And if they DON’T win…well, I’m guessing this will be a date which will live in infamy.

     I am currently rewatching WS 2009 Game 1 in honor of Cliff, which may be the wrong thing to do because it is making me so sad that he is leaving! Good luck in Seattle, Cliff!

     And welcome, Roy (who seems like a great guy); it is a shame that we can’t all be as purely happy as we would otherwise be, though I will say that I will be thrilled to see him take the mound next spring.

163. Maniac Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 10:20 pm

     Lee will sign with the Yankees, because the Phillies thought he wasn’t worth 9 mil when we’re paying Blanton 7 mil and Moyer 8 mil. There were multiple ways to dump salary without trading Lee. I’m still shocked that we traded Lee for 3 average prospects. A better offer would have came up if Ruben let teams know he was available. The prospects we traded for Lee were better than the prospects we picked up from the Mariners.

     Besides all of that, I’m still sick they let Cliff Lee go. If he walked into free agency next year, we would have gained 2 nice draft picks. The trade really makes no sense to me. I’m having a hard time letting this go and I hope this move won’t cost us another World Series win.

164. Jesus Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 10:53 pm

     Draft picks are never a sure thing. We have no idea what these prospects will be in either of these deals. We got 3 players vs 2 picks. Look back at how many “throw in” prospects have become studs. Just because we don’t think they were worth Lee doesn’t mean that they won’t become good/great players. These kids are 21 and under. I’m not happy that we don’t have Lee here either, but it makes sense to try and replenish our system after the trades we have made over the last two years.

165. Jeff of Nova Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 11:13 pm

     Amaro didn’t treat Lee like crap get over yourself!

     This is business, not that I agree with trading Lee, but I have faith in Amaro he has beenn a solid GM. I think some of you are being greedy dreamers.

     We have one of the best starting staffs and the best 1-8 team in the NL if not baseball

     relax and enjoy the holidays ccause we have now have HALLADAY!!

166. bruno Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 11:37 pm

     9 million is what it would have cost to have lee with halladay for 1 year. That is it-9 million. How can anyone not be mad at amaro for trading him for 3 average prospects. Instead of lee, we have moyer. I would rather have lee and bruntlett at 3rd for 1 year than polanco. Amaro is horrible. He lucked into the trade for lee. Everything else he has done has been crap.

167. Andrew Says:
     December 16th, 2009 at 11:40 pm

     Like Amaro said we had traded 7 of our top 10 prospects in 6 months. The Lee deal makes sense on his side. He needs to keep his job beyond 2010. I have 0 fault with him.
     Why do the morons on TV compare the players we sent for Halladay for what we got for lee? Not comparable. Even if the players we got for lee arent as good as the players we sent for lee. That makes sense too. We got 6 months out of 18 months left on his contract. So we needed to get 66% of what we sent for Lee for it to make sense. Did we?
     Now stop whining. Enjoy 2 straight pennants and a world series title. And that you are getting the best pitcher in the majors on top of that.

168. JeffR Says:
     December 17th, 2009 at 1:00 am

     Short of making the Halladay trade and keeping Lee(my preference), they should have just extended Lee and forget Halladay and make no trade. So what if Lee demanded 3mil more a year, they would have still had Drabek in the rotation on the cheap for 5 years instead of who and at what price; and they would have had Taylor for RH on the cheap instead of re-signing Werth at 10 mil or replacing him with whomever and at what price. If they think they’re saving money with this deal just because they’re getting Halladay for less than Lee they’re nuts or can’t do math. It seems they just had a hissy fit at Lee’s demands and decided to show Lee who was boss.

169. abepaul Says:
     December 17th, 2009 at 8:59 am

     Halladay may be best pitcher in baseball, but his strength is he is a CLASS guy! He will be awarded a standing ovation when Phils play in TO! The fans loved him and he loved Toronto, but he wants a ring, and the Phillies are willing to spend to buy a championship, like Yankees and RSox do.
     Money will not necessarily buy WS, but it helps! Jays are one of very few teams to win more than one championship since 90s. How did they do it? They had HIGHEST payroll in ‘92 and ‘93!

170. Griffin Says:
     December 17th, 2009 at 10:44 am

     JeffR, I couldn’t agree with you more. This move will cost the Phillies more in the long-run. Drabek was an inexpensive #2 starter and replacing Werth and Ibanez with Taylor and Brown would have helped keep the payroll down.

     Now, re-signing Werth is a pipe dream. If the team has to have Toronto kick in an extra $6 mil for Halladay, how the heck are they going to pay $10mil (or more) for Werth? Taylor would have been the solution there.

     D’arnaud could have taken over for Chooch as well when he becomes a free agent.

     This move is shortsighted. If the Phils wanted to win in 2010, they should have kept Lee. If the Phils wanted to be built for the long-term, they should have kept Taylor and Drabek.

171. M'sfan Says:
     December 17th, 2009 at 9:01 pm

     http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=At3ebBpoPYO.rOctMoldtZMRvLYF?slug=ap-mariners-lee&prov=ap&type=lgns

     Lee didnt want to leave, he even made a counter offer for an extension. I know its got nothing to do with the payroll, the Phillies couldve done a million things to get around that. So what is it? Not that im complaining btw, we are happy to have him.

172. jt Says:
     December 18th, 2009 at 1:25 am

     What’s amaro done since he became gm?with the exception of getting lee from cleveland for nothing he’s been horrible…giving contracts to all these contracts to old players like polanco,ibanez and moyer…theirs a millions ways they could of kept lee if it’s about money like trade blanton even if it means getting nothing in return just do it for salary dump or force moyer to retire lol sorry but giving him e year deal was a horrible mistake.

173. jt Says:
     December 18th, 2009 at 1:26 am

     ..

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