Early fantasy spin on three-team deal sending Roy Halladay from Blue Jays to Phillies
Submitted by Imaginary Diamond Blog
Big names are involved in today’s reported three-team deal that would send Toronto Blue Jays’ ace Roy Halladay to the Philadelphia Phillies
. We would hate to get too far ahead of ourselves and break down all of the different scenarios and their corresponding fantasy spins. So, let’s just take a look at the mainstays Halladay and LHP Cliff Lee, who is reportedly being shipped to the Seattle Mariners.
Halladay is a fantasy ace, no matter the uniform he’s wearing or the stadium he calls home. Citizens Bank Park isn’t exactly a pitcher’s best friend, but Halladay is a veteran who keeps the ball down and limits the damage on his mistakes. And don’t forget about the lesser National League lineups, ones that are watered down with unathletic pitchers taking their ugly hacks. Halladay’s numbers should certainly even out, perhaps even improve, as he moves on to a contender with a high-powered offense behind him.
Lee had an excellent second-half run with the Phillies last season and went 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in the postseason, but Philly saw little chance in re-signing him. So, they ship him to the Mariners, who are reportedly sending pitching prospect Phillipe Aumont to the Blue Jays. RHP Brandon Morrow is also a name that FOX Sports mentions as a possible trading chip, but those details are not yet clear.
Halladay and Lee look like the two sure things in this deal, and neither figure to gain or lose substantial fantasy value. Lee is more of a question mark, given all the unknowns associated with a move to Seattle. But both these guys are elder statesmen in the game and true professionals who should hang around their current draft position - somewhere in the 3rd round in standard mixed leagues for Halladay, somewhere in rounds 6-7 for Lee.
As for the other guys being mentioned - Aumont, Michael Taylor, Dominic Brown - they don’t become fantasy relevant for at least another season. Pitchers J.A. Happ and Joe Blanton may or may not be on the move as well, but we’ll address those guys when the deal is finalized.
