It's been Rumor Central in Philadelphia today, with the news that Roy Halladay and his agent had checked into a city hotel. Pending a physical and the details of a contract extension, it seems to be a done deal, with Halladay coming to the Phillies, Cliff Lee (maybe) going to the Mariners, and a package of prospects going to Toronto. I've got totally mixed feelings about this deal, if true. Why can't we keep Lee for at least the rest of his contract? I get that Halladay wants a contract extension if he waives his no-trade clause and that Lee had already stated while in Cleveland that he planned on testing free agency in 2011. But, if the deal is real, I shall miss Mr. Lee, a mercenary, but one with the icy single-mindedness of an assassin. I've never before watched a guy who smiled while pitching.
As for Roy Halladay, he may be the first major league player who said that he wanted to be near his family and actually meant it. As much as the Phillies have targeted Halladay, it seems that he has long targeted them, for the chance to win and for geographic convenience. He lives within minutes of the Phillies' Clearwater spring training complex, which is quite fine with Mr. H. He's got young children and wants to spend as much time with them as possible.
