Busy Baseball Day

And the day ain't over yet!

Three big potential deals are close to be completed, so let's get right to it.

First, on the free agent front, John Lackey reached an agreement with the Red Sox on a five year, $85MM deal. This deal is pending a physical, which Lackey apparently took today.

Lackey should fit in very nicely in the middle of the BoSox's rotation, giving some much needed depth they were lacking (no pun intended) the last two seasons. Could this deal be a precursor to another big deal that could net them a big bat? Maybe Clay Buccholz for a hitter? Adrian Gonzalez? We'll find out soon enough.

While the Angels appeared to have all but lost one player, it looks like they're gaining another. The Halos are nearing a deal with DH Hideki Matsui on what would be a one-year deal for roughly $6.5MM.

But the big deal of the day is a blockbuster three-way trade that involves two Cy Young Award winners. Toronto has agreed in principle to send Roy Halladay to the Phillies, and then send Cliff Lee, whom they acquired in July, to Seattle. What hasn't been confirmed is whom Toronto is getting in all this. But speculation is both Seattle and Philly would send a total of four players, including Phillies prospect Michael Taylor, and at least two Mariners prospects to the Jays.

Halladay has reportedly agreed to an extension with the Phillies.

Whew! Get all that?!

Seems to me the Phillies are giving up quite a bit for Halladay, considering they're also signing him to an extension. It doesn't seem like the Jays are getting much from either team for Halladay. And so, to me, if the deal goes down as reported, the Mariners are the obvious clear-cut winner in this deal, even if they only get Lee for one year.

Halladay is no doubt a beast on the mound, and his numbers should only improve in the N.L. However, does he make the Phillies that much better if they're giving up Lee in the deal? I don't think so. But he still makes them at least the early favorites to repeat in the N.L. The Braves might be their biggest divisional threat heading into the season.

Add Lee in Seattle with Felix Hernandez, and you have arguably the best 1-2 punch in the A.L. And if they add a bat with a little pop to the middle of their lineup, they'll become the clear-cut favorites in the A.L. West. Heck, they might very well be the favorites now, considering the Angels just lost Lackey from their rotation, lost out on Halladay, and lost Chone Figgins to these same Mariners.

And let's not forget, the Rangers got slightly better, as well, trading Kevin Millwood and replacing him with Rich Harden in the rotation. If their young hurlers can improve on 2009, they'll be right there in the mix, as well.

Should be an interesting season in the A.L. in 2010.