MLB Hot Stove Ignites

Today was a very busy day in the Major League Baseball offseason. The headline of today which ran through the wires this evening was the moving of Roy Halladay, and maybe even more importantly, Cliff Lee. The Philadelphia Phillies have moved very, very close, pending physicals, and contract extensions, to landing 6-time AL All-Star, and the 2003 Cy Young winner Roy Halladay. The 3-team blockbuster swap would send star pitcher Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners, outfielder Michael Taylor, catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud, and either prospect pitcher Kyle Drabek or lefthander J.A. Happ to Toronto. Depending on whether it's Happ or Drabek, trading Draben would get them Seattle's top pitching prospect Phillipe Aumont, who was originally destined for Toronto. The moving of Cliff Lee is a bit questionable even though he already had said he will probably test the waters of free agency at some point. He already proved he can pitch in the biggest spotlight in baseball, the World Series in New York against the Yankees. Lee was dominant ever since he was brought over by the Phills, however the Phillies did manage to lose out in the World Series, and they figure bringing over a more established pitcher like Doc Halladay should do justice. However, Halladay is used to pitching in Toronto, Philadelphia is a whole new scene for the 32 year old. Only time will tell if this deal will pan out for the Phillies. Otherwise, General Manager Ruben Amaro may be under some scrutiny...

This deal completely stole Boston's thunder. However, the Red Sox were able to throw some serious bills in acquiring former Angel's ace John Lackey. The Sox signed the bulldog of a 31 year old hurler for a ballpark figure of 85 million dollars over 5 years. The deal is somewhat similar to the Yankees' signing of A.J. Burnett during last year's offseason. Lackey should be a solid fixture in a rotation that already includes the likings of Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, and Daisuke Matzusaka. The problem with Lackey is the injuries he has dealt with the past couple years, which is also similar to A.J. Burnett in year's past, however Mr. Burnett missed not one start due to injury this past season. If John Lackey can stay on the mound, Boston's rotation should be pretty tough.

The New York Yankees have been under the radar this offseason and for good reason. The Yanks are coming of an impressive championship season. What they have done thus far is re-signed Andy Pettitte and let go of pitcher Chien-Ming-Wang and World Series MVP Hideki Matsui, who signed with the Anaheim Angels for about 6 million for 1 year. This is the second year in a row the Angels have taken a former Yankee off of the market after picking up right fielder Bobby Abreu last year. The Yanks still are in negotiations with Johnny Damon, but things may not bid well money-wise for Damon after the splash deal made for Cutis Granderson. The Yanks are said to be looking at former Milwaukee Brewer ace Ben Sheets, and former Oakland Athletics pitcher, 2-time All-Star Justin Duchscherer. Ben Sheets has been known for his filthy-electric stuff and has been elected to 4 All-Star games. Sheets has had an 18 strikeout game in his career, and has established himself as one of the game's more premier power pitchers. However, he is also known for injuries that have plagued him during several seasons in the bigs, and all of last year being one of them. He would be a project, however if he can deliver, he could be a serious catalyst in an already world champion rotation.