|
Written by Mike Mariano
|
|
Monday, 14 December 2009 13:43 |
|
Floating around the rumor mill is the possibility that the Phillies are working a three-or-four-team-trade where the Phillies part ways with Cliff Lee and prospects and end up with Roy Halladay. Yes, that would sabotage the possibility of having both but as time passes that is beginning to look more and more like a pipe dream at this point. The costs are simply to high in the long run to have both guys on payroll, along with the offensive stars we already employ. Both guys are looking for long-term deals and the thinking is that trading for Halladay and ensuring the long term deal is a better option than gambling that Cliff Lee can be signed before he hits the open market. Which would you rather?
Roy Halladay: Perpetual Cy Young candidate and among best in the game, Great Nickname (Doc Halladay)
Cliff Lee: Fan favorite, Cy Young, a year and 1000 innings younger, slightly cheaper in the long run.
Personally, I'm partial to Cliff. If you're going to hand out a long term deal to either of those guys you have to remember one thing: you pay for the past, you get the future. Roy is absolutely superior to Cliff over their careers and over the past 3-5 years, however it's the next 3-5 that concerns me. Durability is one of the best attributes a pitcher can have and Roy is a 200 inning horse the past four seasons. At what point will that run out and will he return to the days of disabled lists and arm injuries? Cliff may only be a year younger than Roy, but his arm might be five years younger than Roy's.
 |