The Phillies have a tentative agreement to acquire star pitcher Roy Halladay in a trade with Toronto, and the former Cy Young Award winner was in Philadelphia on Monday for a physical required to complete the deal.
Philadelphia also is discussing a trade that would send Cliff Lee, another former Cy Young Award winner, to the Mariners.
Philadelphia could give up pitchers J.A. Happ, Joe Blanton and outfielder Dominic Brown as part of a deal. They also took physicals in Philadelphia on Monday.
Halladay’s agent, Greg Landry, was registered at a Philadelphia hotel, a sign the sides were working on a contract extension, which likely would be necessary before Halladay waives his right to block a trade.
Lee, who like Halladay is eligible for free agency after next season, could wind up going to Seattle.
Halladay, 32, a right-hander who starred at Arvada West High School, is the most prized pitcher on the trade market. A six-time all-star and the 2003 AL Cy Young Award winner, Halladay went 17-10 with a 2.79 ERA for the Blue Jays last season. He led the majors with four shutouts and nine complete games while throwing 239 innings, second to Detroit’s Justin Verlander (240).
Halladay would be a huge addition for the aggressive Phillies, who won the 2008 World Series and repeated as NL champs this year, when they lost the World Series to the Yankees in six games.
The Phillies are thought to be a preferable fit for Halladay because they hold spring training in Clearwater, Fla., near his offseason home.
Aware they probably couldn’t afford to keep Halladay beyond next season, the Blue Jays shopped their ace before the July 31 trade deadline. The Phillies were thought to be in talks involving Halladay at that point, but instead they landed Lee from the Indians for four minor-leaguers.
Lee, a left-hander, was a big reason Philadelphia won its second consecutive pennant, going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA and two complete games in five postseason starts.
Halladay has been one of baseball’s best pitchers for years. He owns a 148-76 career record with a 3.43 ERA.
