According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the Philadelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians have worked out a deal that would send Cliff Lee and Ben Francisco to the Phillies. In return, the Indians will receive Class A right-hander Jason Knapp, Class AAA right-hander Carlos Carrasco, shortstop Jason Donald and catcher Lou Marso.
Now that it appears the Phillies are out of the sweepstakes for Roy Halladay, could the Boston Red Sox become front runners now that they’ve included Clay Buchholz in the deal?
It will be interesting to see what happens as J.P. Riccardi told the New York Post about 15 minutes ago that he expects Halladay to finish his out his contract in Toronto.
“I would have to talk to ownership, but I personally would be less inclined to trade him in the offseason,” Ricciardi said when reached by phone by the Post. “I would think let’s put our best foot forward in 2010. We expect to get our injured pitchers back (such as Shaun Marcum and Jesse Litsch) and let’s try to win.’
“It doesn’t hurt us,” Ricciardi said. “We said the whole way that we would have to be wowed (by a proposal) and we haven’t been wowed. I don’t think this is going to get done (before Friday’s deadline). I have told everyone we would have to be moved, and no one has moved us with an offer. And that is fine. This is not something we have to do.”
Riccardi could be blowing smoke in the public for the Blue Jays fans but you never know. Someone could come in with the right offer and he may change his mind.
Halladay is expected to start for the Blue Jays this afternoon against the Seattle Mariners in Seattle.
