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| FILE - In tis July 29, 2009, file photo, Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Roy Halladay throws during the third inning against the Seattle Mariners during a baseball game in Seattle. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. says he's hopeful the trade to acquire Roy Halladay from Toronto and send Cliff Lee to Seattle can be completed Wednesday but talks may extend into Thursday. |
SEATTLE (AP) -- The Philadelphia Phillies got ace Roy Halladay from Toronto and traded Cliff Lee to Seattle on Wednesday, completing a complicated, four-team deal that featured a pair of Cy Young winners.
Oakland also was part of the nine-player swap. Money was a key factor, too. The Blue Jays sent $6 million to Philadelphia with Halladay, who then agreed to a $60 million, three-year contract extension through 2013.
"Without question, Roy is one of the top pitchers in the game today," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said in a statement. "He has the talent, professionalism and makeup that embody what we look for in players and we're very happy to have him in a Phillies uniform for at least the next four seasons."
Toronto sent Halladay to the Phillies for three minor leaguers: catcher Travis d'Arnaud, right-hander Kyle Drabek and outfielder Michael Taylor.
The two-time NL champion Phillies dealt Lee to Seattle for three prospects: right-hander Phillippe Aumont, outfielder Tyson Gillies and right-hander Juan Ramirez.
Toronto flipped Taylor to the Athletics for third baseman Brett Wallace.
Halladay had been prominently mentioned in trade talk since the All-Star break. The five-month saga came to an end when all sides signed off on the deal.
The 32-year righty went 17-10 with a 2.79 ERA last season. He led the AL with four shutouts and nine complete games. The six-time All-Star won the 2003 AL Cy Young.
"Roy is known as the best pitcher in baseball and will have instant respect," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "He's a No. 1, a blue chipper and I expect him to stabilize our pitching staff. Roy brings a great work ethic and tremendous character and he'll have a big presence in our clubhouse."
Lee was the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner when the Phillies got him from Cleveland last July 29. The 31-year-old lefty went 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA down the stretch, then excelled in the postseason by going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in five starts.
Lee earned both of the Phillies' wins in the World Series against the New York Yankees. He has one year and $9 million remaining on his contract, and talk of an extension with Seattle beyond 2010 was not part of the trade discussions.
Halladay will make $15.7 million next year. The amount of cash the Phillies got from Toronto almost covers the difference in the salaries for Halladay and Lee.
"It's never easy trading a player of Cliff's caliber, but we felt it was the right move to make at this time," Amaro said in a statement. "We've acquired three players that we think have big upsides and will strengthen our player development system."
Gillies, 21, hit .341 last season and led the California League with 44 stolen bases at Single-A High Desert. He scored 104 runs and had a .430 on-base percentage.
Aumont, 20, went a combined 2-6 with 16 saves and a 3.88 ERA for High Desert and Double-A West Tennessee last season. A first-round draft pick in 2007, he pitched for Canada in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
Ramirez, 21, was 8-10 with a 5.12 ERA for High Desert.
The trade gives Seattle one of baseball's best pair of aces, teaming Lee with young star Felix Hernandez.
"I also want to congratulate Philadelphia and Toronto on how this whole deal was handled. We are very excited to have Cliff Lee on board in the Seattle organization," Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik said. "It goes without saying what a quality pitcher and competitor he is and what he will mean to our ballclub and organization."
"We gave up three very nice prospects to Philadelphia. I think they will be a nice piece of the Phillies' future," he said. "It was not an easy decision for us, but we could not pass up the opportunity to add a pitcher a Lee's ability."
Drabek, 22, was a combined 12-3 with a 3.19 ERA at Single-A Clearwater and Double-A Reading. He was the Phillies' first-round draft pick in 2006 and his father is former NL Cy Young winner Doug Drabek.
Taylor, 23, hit a combined .320 with 20 home runs, 84 RBIs and 21 stolen bases at Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley.
D'Arnaud, 20, hit .255 with 13 home runs and 71 RBIs at Single-A Lakewood.
Wallace was acquired by Oakland last season as part of the trade for Matt Holliday. At 23, Wallace hit a combined .293 with 20 home runs and 63 RBIs for three teams.
