So first of all I’d like to apologize for my absence from the site (although I’m quite certain my brothers did fine in my stead). Working full time, coaching, and finishing up a master’s program is a little more time consuming than I at first expected.
Now onto the issue at hand. I’d like to express my enthusiasm on getting Roy Halladay and at the same time my sadness at losing Cliff Lee. What an ideal rotation it would have been to have Halladay, Lee, Hamels, Haap and whoever they chose as their fifth starter. Unfortunately the powers that be did not think this was a reality.
Now, many people have asked me for my opinion. Many of these same people made comments about how much better it would have been to get Halladay the first time around and now are insisting this is a bad move.
While Lee’s postseason run was epic it is no way a guarantee that he’ll repeat this effort year after year. Yes I know he’s won a Cy Young award but, he has also been demoted to the minors so consistency has been a concern. That being said, it was not my concern but it is legitimate. I also got the impression that Lee’s agent was playing hard ball and wanting a Sabathia style contract but that’s neither here nor there. There was no promise of having Lee in Philadelphia after this year and despite his comments to stay apparently Ruben Amaro Jr. did not see the reality of this either.
As far as Halladay goes, you’re getting a pitcher who is just as much of a work horse. Throws complete games like he’s from the golden age of baseball, has a nice compliment of pitches to chose from, put up great numbers while pitching in Toronto, and has had much success and has while facing the Red Sox and Yankees for about a third of his starts. That’s not exactly having the runner up for homecoming queen as a date now.
Unfortunately Lee’s time in a Phillies uniform has endeared him to many Phillies fans (myself included). And quite possibly an injury to one or both pitchers could make this argument look very different, however, the extension Halladay signed allows the Phillies to be competitive for years to come and also still gives them money to play with down the road.
I think this was in many ways a lateral move (as they moved one ace and obtained another) but it also has long-term potential to solidify the Phillies as dynasty in the years to come. I think Halladay, despite being a year older, has the slight edge since his numbers have been great against a tough AL East and most of Lee’s numbers match up with the AL Central. In the end it could be a wash either way, or it could turn out to be a bust.
Pitchers and catchers is right around the corner and then it’s time for spring training. Bring on the hard ball…it’s been a long winter without baseball and I’m ready to watch the defense of that NL championship.
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