Philadelphia Phillies Trade Rumors

Phillies deny signing Japanese relievers
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February 8
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"The Phillies are denying a report that they have signed two Japanese lefthanded relievers to minor league contracts. Japan's Daily Sports Online had reported that the Phillies announced the signings this week with Shigetoshi Yamakita and Naoyo Okamoto, and that they would report to spring training next month in Clearwater, Fla. "The reports online that the Phillies have signed two Japanese pitchers are not accurate," the team said in a statement. "The Phillies have not recently signed any pitchers or position players from Japan.""
Phils add Villarreal for depth
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February 5
Camden Courier-Post
 
"When the Phillies scouted reliever Oscar Villarreal last Friday in Phoenix, they were reminded of veteran right-hander Rodrigo Lopez. Lopez missed the 2008 season while recovering from elbow surgery, but he signed a minor league deal with the Phillies last winter. And although he wasn't invited to major league camp in spring training, he went 3-1 in five valuable midseason starts when the rotation was decimated by injuries. A year later, the Phillies are hoping Villarreal can provide similar insurance for the bullpen. Villarreal, a 28-year-old right-hander who did not pitch last season after undergoing elbow ligament replacement surgery, agreed Thursday to a minor league contract that ..."
Phillies sign reliever Villarreal to minor-league deal
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February 5
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"The Phillies signed reliever Oscar Villarreal to a minor-league deal yesterday. Villarreal, who missed the entire 2009 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, will not be invited to spring training. Villarreal, 28, last pitched in 2008 with Houston when he appeared in 35 games, compiling a 1-3 record with a 5.02 ERA. He was 9-1 with a 3.61 ERA in 58 games for Atlanta in 2006, his best season in the majors. Villarreal, much like other recent signees by the Phillies, is probably ticketed for triple-A Lehigh Valley. In the last few days, the Phillies have also come to terms with outfielder Freddy Guzman, second baseman Luis Maza and pitchers Brian Gordon and Brian Mazone, all on ..."
Phillies sign Villarreal, Purdom to minor league deals
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February 5
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"The Phillies have signed veteran righthander Oscar Villarreal and catcher John Purdom to minor league contracts. Villarreal, 28, missed the 2009 season after having Tommy John surgery on his elbow. He isn't expected to report to spring training until the end of Feburary, his agent told MLB.com. Villarreal pitched six seasons in the big leagues, with the Diamondbacks, Braves and Astros. He is 24-15 with a 3.86 earned run average."
Phillies add veteran outfielder Guzman
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February 3
MLB.com
 
"The Phillies recently signed veteran outfielder Freddy Guzman to a Minor League contract, though his deal does not include an invitation to Spring Training, a club spokesman confirmed on Wednesday. Guzman spent the 2009 season with the Triple-A affiliates of the Orioles, Mariners, Red Sox and Yankees, while also seeing action in 10 games for the Bronx Bombers -- going 1-for-6 with four stolen bases. In 101 Minor League games last year, the 29-year-old speedster batted .223 with a .272 on-base percentage, two homers, 17 RBIs and was 45-for-54 in steals."
Phillies to observe workout of former Giants lefty Lowry
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February 2
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Ruben Amaro Jr. confirmed that the Phillies plan to watch Noah Lowry, who hasn't pitched since 2007 because of a series of arm injuries, when he auditions for scouts in Arizona. That was supposed to happen today, but the session was postponed to give the 29-year-old lefthander more time to prepare. The Phillies general manager last night characterized the team's interest as "moderate." The Astros, Mets, Rangers and Red Sox also are reportedly interested. About half the teams are expected to be represented when he has his open bullpen session. Lowry's agent, Damon Lapa, told the Associated Press that the former Giants No. 1 draft choice hasn't had a setback, but decided it would be to his ..."
Phillies and Ruiz agree to 3-year deal and avoid arbitration
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January 25
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"There will be no arbitration hearings for the Phillies this year. The Phillies have agreed on a 3-year, $8.5 million deal with catcher Carlos Ruiz that will become official after a physical, according to the team's Web site. Ruiz' agent, Marc Kligman, could not be reached for comment. The deal includes a $5 million club option for 2013, which would be Ruiz' first year of free agency. The Panama native has started 292 games behind the plate over the last three seasons. Phillies pitchers posted a 4.00 ERA with Ruiz behind the plate last season, 1 year after they posted a 3.82 ERA."
Will Werth be a Phillie after 2010?
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January 23
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Last month, after the Phillies traded for Roy Halladay, a scout from another National League team praised them for not giving up outfield prospects Domonic Brown and Anthony Gose. Considering their increasing payroll commitments to many core players, the scout suggested they'll eventually need Brown or Gose to be low-cost replacements. "Looking at them on paper," the scout said, "they will probably have to choose between (keeping Shane) Victorino and (Jayson) Werth." Friday, after the Phillies finalized a three-year, $22 million contract extension with Victorino, it was worth wondering if they'd already made their choice. "The next question we have is, "Where do we stand with Jayson?' " ..."
Will Werth be a Phillie after 2010?
Comment
January 23
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Last month, after the Phillies traded for Roy Halladay, a scout from another National League team praised them for not giving up outfield prospects Domonic Brown and Anthony Gose. Considering their increasing payroll commitments to many core players, the scout suggested they'll eventually need Brown or Gose to be low-cost replacements. "Looking at them on paper," the scout said, "they will probably have to choose between (keeping Shane) Victorino and (Jayson) Werth." Friday, after the Phillies finalized a three-year, $22 million contract extension with Victorino, it was worth wondering if they'd already made their choice. "The next question we have is, "Where do we stand with Jayson?' " ..."
Source: Phillies sign Contreras
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January 22
ESPN.com
 
"Jose Contreras has signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, a source confirmed for ESPNDeportes.com's Enrique Rojas. The Chicago Cubs expressed interest in Contreras and the pitcher was expected to sign with either the Cubs or the St. Louis Cardinals before striking a deal with Philadelphia."
Phillies looking at Eric Gagne as possible addition to bullpen
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January 22
LehighValleyLive.com
 
"One of baseball's dominant closers from yesteryear is drawing interest from the Philadelphia Phillies. Former Los Angeles Dodgers relief ace Eric Gagne threw for the Phillies on Wednesday in suburban Phoenix under the watchful eye of special assistant Charlie Kerfeld. The 34-year old Gagne won the Cy Young Award as closer for the Dodgers in 2003. The Montreal native made the N.L. All-Star team from 2002-04 when he posted a combined 1.79 earned run average and 152 saves. Gagne eventually experienced elbow problems, which led to Tommy John surgery and his production rapidly declined. He spent the 2009 season with the Quebec Capitols of the Independent League, compiling a 6-6 record with ..."
Phillies give Blanton 3-year, $24 million deal
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January 22
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"YOU MIGHT not be able to put a price on dependability, but you can make sure an arbiter doesn't get a chance to have his say. The Phillies accomplished that yesterday, avoiding arbitration by signing steady veteran righthander Joe Blanton to a 3-year, $24 million deal that will keep him under club control through the 2012 season. Blanton, who is tied for seventh in the majors with 162 starts over the last five seasons and is one of only 16 pitchers to accumulate more than 1,000 innings during that span, will earn $7 million in 2010 and $8.5 million in both 2011 and 2012. He was eligible to become a free agent after the season, but said the "family atmosphere" of the Phillies clubhouse ..."
Blanton signs 3-year deal with Phillies
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January 21
Wilmington News Journal
 
"Right-hander Joe Blanton signed a three-year, $24 million contract extension with the Phillies, senior vice president and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. and assistant general manager Scott Proefrock jointly announced today. Blanton had been eligible for salary arbitration. Blanton, 29, went 12-8 with a 4.05 ERA in 31 starts for the Phillies last season and made four appearances (two starts) in the postseason. In 44 total regular season starts for the Phillies over the past two seasons (2008-09), Blanton is 16-8 with a 4.09 ERA and the team is 26-18 (.591) in those games. He pitched at least 6.0 innings in 29 of those 44 starts."
Phillies give reliever Gagne tryout
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January 21
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"As the Phillies' payroll rose higher and higher this off-season but certain needs persisted, general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the team would continue to pursue pitchers with low risk and potentially high reward. So that could explain why the Phillies reportedly sent scouts to Arizona yesterday to check out former Cy Young Award winner Eric Gagne, who spent all of last season in the Canadian-American League. With little payroll flexibility, the Phillies are willing to consider any inexpensive option to bolster the pitching staff. Whether or not the Phillies are actually interested in Gagne, once a hugely successful relief pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers, is another matter. Any deal ..."
Blanton has high hopes
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January 20
Camden Courier-Post
 
"Throughout the offseason, the presumption was that Joe Blanton would receive a nice raise from his 2009 salary of $5.475 million, something in the $7-8 million range. Turns out, Blanton has a different view of his worth. The Phillies met Tuesday's deadline to swap potential salary figures with their three arbitration-eligible players and realized a substantial difference of opinion with Blanton. The Phils offered $7.5 million, while Blanton has requested $10.25 million. Meanwhile, Shane Victorino, who made $3.125 million in 2009, filed a $5.8 million request, while the Phillies offered $4.75 million. Carlos Ruiz, the first-time arbitration-eligible catcher, is seeking $2.5 million after ..."
Phils trade pay figures with 3 players
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January 20
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"The Phillies exchanged salary figures with their three arbitration-eligible players yesterday and are furthest apart with pitcher Joe Blanton. Blanton asked for $10.25 million while the Phillies offered $7.5 million. Blanton, who was 12-8 with a 4.05 ERA, made $5.475 million last season and will be a free agent after the 2010 season. The two sides are closer with outfielder Shane Victorino, who requested $5.8 million. The Phillies offered him $4.75 million. Victorino made $3.25 million last season. And catcher Carlos Ruiz is seeking $2.5 million, with the Phillies having offered $1.7 million. Ruiz made $475,000 in 2009. As is customary in Major League Baseball, all 30 teams exchanged ..."
Closer Eric Gagne has tryout with Phillies
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January 20
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"The Phillies' search for bullpen depth may take an interesting turn. Former All-Star closer Eric Gagne told a French Canadian radio station that he has a tryout with the Phillies this afternoon in Arizona. Gagne, 34, saved 161 games while posting a 1.82 ERA and striking out an average of 13.4 batters per nine innings for the Dodgers from 2002-2006. During that 5-year stretch, he was one of the most dominant closers in baseball, allowing a meager 0.827 walks and hits per inning in 240 appearances. But after saving 16 games and posting a 2.16 ERA for the Rangers in the first half of 2007, Gagne was traded to Boston and struggled, allowing 14 runs in 18 2/3 innings. In December 2007, Gagne ..."
Phillies' Blanton seeking $10.25 million in arbitration
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January 20
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Plenty of time remains before arbitration hearings begin early next month. And yesterday, after the Phillies exchanged figures with their three eligible players, they appeared relatively close to deals with catcher Carlos Ruiz and centerfielder Shane Victorino. But the third player, pitcher Joe Blanton, could present the most interesting case since the Phils and Ryan Howard went before a panel of arbiters before the 2008 season. The veteran righthander, who went 12-8 with a 4.05 ERA in 31 starts last season, has requested a $10.25 million salary for 2010. The Phillies, meanwhile, have offered $7.5 million, putting the two sides a healthy $2.75 million apart. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. ..."
Phillies sign Brandon Duckworth
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January 19
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"The Duck Pond is back. The Phillies signed Brandon Duckworth, who spent three seasons with the team from 2001 to '03, to a minor-league contract last week, his agent said. But the deal does not include an invitation to spring training, meaning Duckworth, who turns 34 next week, will likely provide the team with minor-league depth. The fan club may have to relocate to Lehigh Valley. "We thought it made sense for both Brandon and the Phillies," said Craig Landis, Duckworth's agent. Duckworth last pitched in the major leagues in 2008 for Kansas City, when he started seven games. In eight major-league seasons, Duckworth is 23-34 with a 5.28 ERA. Last season, Duckworth started 19 games for ..."
Phils, Durbin reach deal
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January 19
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"The Phillies cleared one of their four potential arbitration cases yesterday when they agreed to terms with righthander Chad Durbin on a 1-year deal worth $2.125 million, the veteran reliever confirmed to the Daily News. Durbin has been a fixture in the team's bullpen for the past two seasons, posting a 4.39 ERA and 1.478 WHIP in 59 appearances last season. The righthander, who is eligible for free agency after this season, earned $1.635 million last year."
Phillies seeking starter, lefty reliever
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January 6
MLB.com
 
"The Phillies have Danys Baez in the fold, which could be their final move this offseason. But Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park that he still has a couple things on his wish list: • A left-handed reliever. • A starter. Amaro said the Phillies "probably have finished the negotiations" with left-hander Scott Eyre, whom they offered a Minor League deal. Eyre was 5-1 with a 1.61 ERA in 61 appearances since he joined the Phils in August 2008, but he also is coming off elbow surgery. Amaro said Philadelphia offered Eyre the Minor League deal for protection from the surgery. "I don't believe he'll be a Phillie next year," Amaro said. But Amaro said he ..."
Phillies say goodbye to Park, Eyre
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January 6
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"On the day when the Phillies welcomed reliever Danys Baez, they had other news about their pitching staff. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said that relievers Chan Ho Park and Scott Eyre are probably finished pitching in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, lefthander Jamie Moyer, plagued by hospital visits this off-season, is preparing for another. The 47-year-old pitcher is scheduled to have arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Monday. "I would doubt that Jamie would be ready for opening day," Amaro said. (The Phils open April 5 in Washington.) "It's possible. If anybody can do it, Jamie can." With Moyer's availability in question, the Phillies' list of pitchers who may not be ready for the opener ..."
Phillies sign relief pitcher Danys Baez
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January 5
Wilmington News Journal
 
"The Phillies today signed right-handed relief pitcher Danys Baez signed a two-year, $5.25 million contract. The 32-year-old went 4-6 with a 4.02 ERA in 59 appearances for the Orioles last season. "Danys brings both experience and success to our bullpen," general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a press release. "He has played a variety of roles throughout his career and we felt he was an excellent fit for our staff.""
Phils' deal for reliever may be near
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December 25
Los Angeles Times
 
"The Phillies may be close to signing a free-agent relief pitcher - probably Danys Baez or Mike MacDougal. Baez, who pitched last season for Baltimore, and MacDougal, who pitched last season for Washington, are seen as prospective setup men by the Phillies. Both are 32 and have experience as closers. Baez's agent, Greg Genske, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. On Tuesday, MacDougal's agent said the Phillies had been in contact with him and were interested in his client. But the agent, Rex Gary, would not say how advanced the discussions were. In the last few days, the market for relievers has heated up."
Phillies GM Amaro waits patiently to make bullpen move
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December 24
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"Lincoln was the Great Emancipator. Reagan was the Great Communicator. And over his first 2 years in office, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. has dubbed himself the Cautious Aggressor. So it should come as little surprise that even in an offseason in which he moved early to sign his top target at third base, then swung the Trades Heard 'Round the World, Amaro has patiently waited as his self-professed No. 1 need - the bullpen - remains unaddressed.

There were indications yesterday that Phillies brass had reached an agreement with a reliever prior to closing up shop for the winter break, a deal that would not be consummated until a physical in the first week of January. But whether ..."

Phillies talking to MacDougal, agent says
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December 23
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"One of the final tasks remaining for Ruben Amaro Jr. in this busy off-season for the Phillies is to fortify a bullpen that was a weakness last season.The market is full of relievers, and a few even have closing experience. Considering that the Phillies had 22 blown saves last season (which tied them with four teams for the eighth most in baseball), adding a former closer could have advantages.The Phillies have shown interest in at least one such pitcher: Mike MacDougal, who closed last season for the Washington Nationals. His agent, Rex Gary, said yesterday that he had communicated with the Phillies but declined to say how advanced the talks were.Phillies officials were unavailable for ..."
Phillies reportedly have no interest in Fernando Rodney
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December 23
MLB.com
 
"The Phillies continue searching for bullpen help, but Ruben Amaro Jr. said late last week that help would not come until after Christmas. I know they have been interested in Fernando Rodney, but a source said tonight that talks aren't serious. The Phillies have had interest in John Smoltz and there also have been reports about interest in Mike MacDougal, but there are indications the Phillies are looking in a different direction."
Phils' faith in Hamels key to Lee trade
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December 20
Camden Courier-Post
 columnist Scott Lauber
"Next Page1| 2Previous PageA year ago, when acquiring Roy Halladay still was Ruben Amaro Jr.'s whimsy and Cliff Lee got traded only in fantasy leagues, the Phillies had another ace. Remember Cole Hamels? Last year, Hamels was everywhere. He tossed the coin at the 50-yard line before the Eagles-Giants game at the Linc, danced with Ellen DeGeneres, read the Top 10 List for David Letterman. Then, he signed a three-year, $20.5 million contract extension, moved to a 2,700-square-foot condo high atop Two Liberty Place and became the pitch man in a half-dozen commercials. Life was good. In 2009, Hamels got flattened by reality. Only 25, with just two above-average pitches and having slacked in his ..."
Why not Lee and Halladay together?
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December 20
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 columnist Rich Hoffmann
"The dream dies hard -- and please pardon those among us who are not quite ready to let it go. Because you can acknowledge, on the one hand, that acquiring Roy Halladay was a wonderful move for the Phillies and still recognize, on the other hand, that Halladay combined with Cliff Lee at the top of the Phillies' rotation would have provided 2010 with the underpinnings of unforgettable. The question: what price glory? Phillies president David Montgomery swears that money is not the reason that Lee and his $9 million salary are not here. He says that if the organization had not felt so strapped by trading away what general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said were seven of its top 10 prospects, that ..."
Phillies, pitcher fulfill each other's dreams
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December 18
Wilmington News Journal
 columnist Martin Frank
"It's unprecedented, because what pitcher in his right mind would want to play at a bandbox of a ballpark, where home runs soar as high as earned run averages? Yet there was Roy Halladay, one of the best pitchers in baseball, telling everyone Wednesday as he proudly wore his new Phillies No. 34 uniform that he dreamed of pitching for the Phillies the last two years, even before the Phillies tried to trade for him last summer. "I can't lie; I did," Halladay said about watching the Phillies in the World Series six weeks ago and dreaming it was him on the mound. "I had quite a few dreams about it, too. "The way it feels right now is kind of surreal. You feel like you have the chance to get ..."
Phils dealt Lee to replenish prospects
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December 17
Philadelphia Inquirer
 
"In the last year, the Phillies have traded away seven of their top 10 prospects, as rated by Baseball America before the 2009 season. That, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said, is a cause for concern.While acquiring a former Cy Young Award winner, the Phillies dealt another in Cliff Lee to Seattle for three prospects in an attempt to replenish the farm system. In return, the Phillies received pitchers Phillippe Aumont and J.C. Ramirez, and outfielder Tyson Gillies from the Mariners.Amaro characterized the Lee deal as a necessity for the future of the organization. "We could not leave the cupboard bare," Amaro said. "If we had just acquired Roy and not moved Lee, we would have ..."
Phil Sheridan: Ruben Amaro Jr. rolled the dice
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December 17
Philadelphia Inquirer
 columnist Phil Sheridan
"Ruben Amaro Jr. didn't have to trade Cliff Lee. For that matter, the Phillies' general manager didn't have to pursue Roy Halladay, the righthanded ace he acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays this week. The easy and safe thing would have been to stand pat. If the Phillies had gone into 2010 with Lee and Cole Hamels at the top of their rotation, no one could possibly have criticized Amaro for not adding Halladay. So start with that acknowledgment, that Amaro took a pass on safe and easy and made a daring stroke to improve the best team in the National League - not just for 2010, but for the next four or five years. "I didn't really want to move [Lee]," Amaro said. "But I really felt that this ..."
Bob Ford: Halladay: Philadelphia is the place to be
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December 17
Philadelphia Inquirer
 columnist Bob Ford
"If he said it once, he said it 100 times. In fact, as Roy Halladay was shuttled from the news conference dais to individual standup interviews with all the television and radio stations and then back for another lengthy stretch of questioning, he probably did say it 100 times. "This is where I wanted to be," said Halladay, who was traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to the Phillies today. Over and over, the pitcher many call the best in baseball said he only wanted to play for the Philadelphia Phillies. Put everything else aside for the moment. Put aside how nice it might have been to obtain Halladay and keep Cliff Lee as well. Accept general manager Ruben Amaro Jr.'s explanation that trading ..."
Take your time evaluating Phillies' deal for Halladay
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December 17
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"It will take some time for the fallout from one of the biggest trades in Phillies history to settle, for all the implications to be digested, for all the what-ifs to sort themselves out.In the immediate aftermath of saying hello to Roy Halladay and goodbye to Cliff Lee and a trio of well-regarded prospects yesterday, though, a couple of observations may be ventured.The top of the Phillies' 2010 rotation is better, but more by a matter of degrees than light years.And when the merry-go-round finally stopped spinning yesterday, the bigger impact may have been on the fifth starter than on the slot occupied by the ace.The Phillies, of course, pursued Halladay before the trading deadline last ..."
Phillies prospects were 'touchable' after all
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December 17
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"AT ONE POINT, Ruben Amaro Jr. did use the word "untouchables." It was in July, as the first chapter in the Roy Halladay-to-Philadelphia saga was being written. He was sitting in the home dugout at Citizens Bank Park before that night's game."There are some untouchables in our system," he said. Later, he was asked if there were prospects he absolutely would not trade even for a pitcher of Halladay's caliber."There are," he responded.But while his contention yesterday that he had never used the word "untouchable" when discussing his farm system may not have been entirely accurate, the spirit of his comments - both when he pondered the trade market that day in July and when he introduced ..."
Halladay may have wanted Phillies more than they wanted him
Comment
December 17
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"AT THE podium, surrounded by reporters, staring into the bright lights of the television cameras, doing radio interviews on his cell phone. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. patiently made his points over and over.He didn't want to trade Cliff Lee. He hated to part with top prospects like righthander Kyle Drabek, outfielder Michael Taylor and catcher Travis d'Arnaud. He recognized that there was a large element of risk in the blockbuster trade involving three teams, two former Cy Young Award winners, a pair of recent No. 1 draft choices and several million dollars.But, dadgummit, the Phillies now had Roy Halladay, 32, one of the very best pitchers in baseball. And that made it all ..."
Was it worth dealing Lee? Phillies will see
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December 17
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"THE ONLY thing that changed was the nameplate. The pinstripes were the same, the bleach white background was the same and, yes, the number was the same. Yesterday, in front of a packed conference room at Citizens Bank Park, Roy Halladay smiled as he slipped on his new Phillies jersey, a virtual replica of the one Cliff Lee slipped off less than 2 months ago after the last of his four brilliant postseason starts.Turns out, there wasn't enough room in town for two No. 34s."A baseball decision," was how general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. described the Phillies' rationale for trading Lee to the Mariners for pitching prospects Phillippe Aumont and Juan Ramirez and outfield prospect Tyson Gillies. ..."
Official: Phillies acquire Roy Halladay from Blue Jays, trade pitcher Cliff Lee to Mariners
Comment
December 16
Wilmington News Journal
 
"As expected, the Phillies have acquired right-hander Roy Halladay and cash considerations from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for minor league right-hander Kyle Drabek, outfielder Michael Taylor and catcher Travis d'Arnaud. Additionally, Halladay agreed to a three-year, $60 million contract extension with the Phillies that includes a $20 million vesting option for a fourth season. Halladay, 32, went 17-10 with a 2.79 ERA and nine complete games in 32 starts for Toronto this past season. He led the American League in complete games and shutouts (4), finished second in innings (239.0), third in ERA, tied for fourth in wins and quality starts (22), and was fifth in strikeouts (208). ..."
Phillippe Aumont takes physical in Philadelphia as official announcement of Cliff Lee trade nears
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December 16
Seattle Times
 
"Just got off the phone with Class A outfield prospect Tyson Gillies, soon to be officially traded to the Philadelphia Phillies organization once this complex three-team trade goes down. Gillies is in Vancouver, B.C. with his family and said he's yet to be officially contacted by anyone from the Phillies or Mariners and told he was being dealt. That's par for the course in trades like this. Normally, players who aren't key focal points of a trade don't have to take physicals. But former No. 1 draft picks who are pitchers? That's a different story. Gillies told me he'd just gotten off the phone about an hour ago with Phillippe Aumont, who phoned him from a hotel room in Philadelphia. "He ..."
Agent says Lee didn't force Phillies into Halladay deal
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December 16
Philadelphia Daily News
 
"THERE ARE at least a couple reasons why the Phillies traded Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners in the triangular transaction that fetched Roy Halladay from the Toronto Blue Jays instead of keeping both former Cy Young Award winners to form a super-rotation. One, obviously, was money. By moving Lee's $9 million and getting the Jays to kick in $6 million, they pretty much offset Halladay's $15.75 million base salary for 2010 and keep their payroll around $140 million. Another is that this is just what the Phillies do. Club president Dave Montgomery has been consistent on this point. The goal is to try to be one of the final eight teams and then hope to get hot during the postseason. Finally, ..."
Phils, Halladay said to reach three-year deal
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December 16
MLB.com
 
"Next up for Roy Halladay? Putting on a Phillies jersey at a news conference at Citizens Bank Park. Halladay on Tuesday reportedly passed a physical and agreed to an extension that will keep him in Philadelphia at least through 2013, and the ace's official introduction to Philadelphia is expected to happen on Wednesday. With the final touches of the much-discussed four-team trade seemingly complete, the path is cleared for the Phillies to send prospects Kyle Drabek, Michael Taylor and Travis d'Arnaud to the Blue Jays, who are sending Halladay and $6 million to the Phillies. Of course, the deals hardly end there. The Phillies are sending Cliff Lee to the Mariners for prospects Phillippe ..."
Phillies interested in Rodney and Smoltz
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December 15
MLB.com
 
"First baseman/outfielder Ross Gload also is taking his physical Tuesday. The Phillies agreed to a two-year contract with him last week. Once the deals for Halladay, Lee and Gload are finalized, the Phillies are expected to continue their pursuit for bullpen help. Their top two targets are believed to be Fernando Rodney and John Smoltz."
15 teams watch Chapman throw
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December 15
ESPN.com
 
"Fomer Cuban national team starting pitcher Aroldis Chapman threw a bullpen session on Tuesday in Houston in front of representatives from 15 major league teams. On Tuesday morning at the Baseball USA complex, the left-hander tossed two separate five-minute side sessions, throwing mostly in the 92-93 mph range and topping out at 96 mph. Chapman, 21, also threw his slider and change-up. Team representatives who attended included Houston Astros general manager Ed Wade, Los Angeles Angels scouting director Eddie Bane, Florida Marlins vice president of player development Jim Fleming, Pittsburgh Pirates international scouting director Rene Gayo, and Baltimore Orioles international scouting ..."
Sources: Halladay, Phillies reach deal
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December 15
ESPN.com
 
"Roy Halladay and the Phillies have come to an agreement on a contract that would put in motion a three-team trade that would send the Toronto Blue Jays ace to Philadelphia, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney. Halladay was taking his physical Tuesday morning, sources said. The status of the other portions of a companion deal that would include the Seattle Mariners, however, is still uncertain at this point. As of early Tuesday morning, the Phillies were to send their Cy Young Award winner, Cliff Lee, to Seattle, in exchange for pitching prospect Phillippe Aumont and outfielder prospect Tyson Gillies, sources told ESPN.com's Jayson Stark. In addition, ProspectInsider.com reported ..."
Mariners holding two aces?
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December 15
Tacoma News Tribune
 
"The Seattle Mariners were supposed to make a big splash at the baseball winter meetings last week in Indianapolis. With some payroll room and plenty of needs, the Mariners were supposed to make waves in either the free agent market or in trades. Instead, they created ripples by finalizing a deal for free agent third baseman Chone Figgins – a move that had leaked several days before – and departed Indianapolis still with money and needs. But now the Mariners are part of an Internet and hot stove frenzy with speculation that a three-team trade will feature a pair of former American League Cy Young Award winners – Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay. Reports from multiple outlets, including Sports ..."
Capps receives immediate interest in free agency
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December 15
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
 
"Pitcher Matt Capps on being a free agent, "Whatever happens, I'll keep the Pirates in my thoughts, and I'm not closing the door on them or anybody else."The Pirates evidently did not feel closer Matt Capps' asking price was fair market value, but the market itself -- as set by the entirety of Major League Baseball -- might disagree. Since Capps' surprising release Saturday that suddenly cast him into free agency, no fewer than a dozen suitors have made contact with his agent, Paul Kinzer, including the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Florida Marlins, Washington Nationals, St. Louis Cardinals, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks. Kinzer called the ..."
With Cliff Lee heading to the M's, which prospects will be given up?
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December 15
Seattle Times
 
"Talk about a day of twists and turns, which still isn't quite done yet. But this piece by ESPN columnist Jayson Stark (a longtime Philadelphia beat writer) does a good job of explaining what's been going on. As suspected, this deal was still in the fluid stages all afternoon, with the Blue Jays wanting outfielder Domonic Brown from the Phillies, but being told they could only have Michael Taylor. Prior to that development, Stark writes, the idea was to send Mariners pitching prospect Phillippe Aumont back to his homeland to play for Toronto. But now, with Brown off the table, the deal has been reworked and catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud is going to the Jays along with Taylor and one of ..."
Blue Christmas for Jays fans as Halladay traded
Comment
December 15
Toronto Star
 columnist Dave Perkins
"At least we won't need to look at Roy Halladay in a Yankee or Red Sox uniform six or seven times a season. Other than that, there are no positives, at least here, to trading away baseball's best pitcher, even if the Blue Jays were going to have him for only one more season, as was likely. Halladay was a good soldier here and will be greatly missed and if he gets a championship ring someday soon, there probably won't be too many Blue Jay fans who won't be happy for him. Be careful, though, Roy. You've always had your share of weird injuries and you'll need to bat and run now. Remember what happened to Chien-Ming Wang; his career exploded when he rounded third base that time. Still, here's ..."
Phillies reach deal to get Roy Halladay in three-team deal
Comment
December 14
SI.com
 columnist Jon Heyman
"The Phillies are in agreement on a three-team trade with the Mariners and Blue Jays to acquire star pitcher Roy Halladay, SI.com has learned. All indications are that Cliff Lee will likely be heading from Philadelphia to Seattle in the trade. Sources say Halladay will agree to a contract extension to complete the deal. It's expected to be a formality, and though terms are not yet clear, it's expected to be worked out in the next couple days. Halladay wanted to be in Philadelphia, as the Phillies train in Clearwater, Fla., not far from his offseason home. The Phillies are giving up prospects to Toronto to get Halladay, but it isn't known yet which players are in the deal. Philadelphia, ..."