Behind The Box Score

On the first day of free agency for Major League Baseball, the NL’s best team traded for one of the best pitchers in the league but also took a risk in the process. After failing to acquire Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay before the trade deadline, the Philadelphia Phillies finally completed a deal with the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays just minutes ago. According to SI.com, Philadelphia dealt the dominant Cliff Lee to Seattle and it is rumored that Halladay will sign an extension in the coming days after indicating his interest in Philadelphia.

The puzzler is why the Phillies would give up Lee, who after going 7-4 in the regular season with the Phils, was as dominant as any pitcher in postseason history, compiling a 4-0 record including Philadelphia’s only wins in the World Series.

The remaining details of the trade has yet to be known but it has been noted that Seattle wanted an ace and got their Christmas wish today. With any big trade, prospects will be involved so look for the Blue Jays to receive younger players as a future movement has apparently been started on Canada’s lone representative. Rumors are that Philadelphia will also receive prospects from Seattle, after the Phillies sent several top prospects to Cleveland last August for Lee.

With Halladay, 31, consistency has been his mantra and with a 17-10 record last season with a 2.79 ERA including nine shutouts, the product on the mound won’t change for the NL’s champs. Lee, on the otherhand has been shaky throughout his career, but as of late has been arguably the best pitcher in baseball. Looking to take down the New York Yankees, two of the MLB’s best teams made a splash today. With the aforementioned Halladay heading to Philly, the Yanks’ arch rival Boston Red Sox signed RHP John Lackey to a five year deal. Whether on not Halladay will be more effective than Lee remains to be seen but for now this trade is a big time blockbuster in a rather quiet off-season.