Roy Halladay why are doing this to us?

Roy Halladay has finally been traded to the Phillies. Really, has he? What did they give up? What is the total package they got in return? Will he shave the ginger beard now that he doesn't play in Canada? Not one of those questions can be answered. It does seem inevitable that Halladay will be traded to the Phillies but what it takes to bring him to Philadelphia is still up in the air. Not only is it currently up in the air, but it seems to be changing by the second.

As it is currently being reported, this is a three team trade involving the Phillies, Jays, and Mariners. The Phillies are expected to receive Roy Halladay from the Jays and two prospects from the Mariners. The Jays are expected to receive top pitching prospect, Phillippe Aumont, from the Mariners, along with catching prospect, Travis D'Arnaud, and outfield prospect, Michael Taylor, both of which will be coming from the Phillies organization. The Mariners, in return for their prospects, will receive Clifford Lee from the Phillies.

This story was originally released at about 2 p.m. on Monday. At that time the Phillies were trading away Lee and getting Halladay in return. A few hours later, Taylor was reportedly added. A few hours later, D'Arnaud was added to the imaginary list. I am now hearing that the Phillies top pitching prospect, Kyle Drabek, is being added to this novel of rumors. Below is the list of players I have heard that were involved in this potential trade. Cliff Lee, JA Happ, Joe Blanton, Jamie Moyer, Kyle Drabek, Antononio Bastardo, Domonic Brown, Michael Taylor, Travis D'Arnaud. I am soon expecting to see the entire Reading Phillies on this list.

The reason that the Phillies are looking to replace Lee with Halladay, is that Halladay is willing to sign a long-term deal past this season where Lee has stated he is going to test the free agent market. This trade will not be officially announced until both parties agree in terms to a contract extension. At this point it appears that Halladay will sign an extension for 3 years at $60 million with a mutual option for at least one more year. This is a fair contract as Halladay is in his prime and is one of the best pitchers in this league.

This trade should be finalized sometime tomorrow. The current holdup is deciding on what prospects to involve. For this reason I am going to wait on assessing the trade until it is determined which team is officially getting what. It does concern me on how long it is taking to finalize, as it seems every time this trade is updated, the Phillies are giving up more and more minorleague talent.

It should also be worth noting that J.A. Happ, Joe Blanton, and Domonic Brown, were all in Philadelphia today to take physicals. None of them appear to be involved in the current trade but it this could still take off in any direction, so who knows.