If this three-team deal goes through with Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee involved, it would make the Blue Jays big winners today.  Everyone knew the Blue Jays had to make a deal, and with what we’re hearing, they made a great decision.

Instead of taking a watered down deal from one team, they get to pluck a few of the best prospects from the Phillies’ and the Mariners’ farm systems.

What this deal sets up is the Mariners becoming the favorites in the AL West.  With Cliff Lee and King Felix, you have the best lefty/righty combo in the game.  Beckett and Lester, Beckett and Lackey, Sabathia and Burnett, are not going to dominate like Felix Hernandez and Cliff Lee.

Cliff Lee gave the Phillies everything and more they could have expected last season.  The only thing I can think of is that Roy Halladay gives the Phillies the big dominant right-handed ace.  With lefties J.A. Happ, Cole Hamels and Jamie Moyer in the rotation, Halladay can add some balance.

Like the Yankees making big moves last year, the Mariners and the Red Sox are emerging as the teams making noise this offseason.  

The only noise out of Anaheim has been the star players leavening.  The Angels are sitting back while Seattle is going after it.  The Angels are closing in on a deal with Hideki Matsui, replacing one aging slugger for another, which means Vladimir Guerrero will be out of Anaheim.

The John Lackey signing means two things for the Red Sox.  First you can all put your Jason Bay jerseys in a frame, because they’re a collectors’ items now.  With all the money spent on Lackey, I don’t think Bay is coming back to Boston.

Secondly this gives the Red Sox six starters.  Josh Beckett, Jon Lester and John Lackey will lead the way.  With Daisuke Matsuzaka you hope to get a bounce-back year.  This leaves the number-five spot for Clay Buchholz and Tim Wakefield, who was an All-Star last year.  Wakefield has always been a durable, “I know what I’m getting” guy, and the best number-five starter in the game.  

What this scenario does is open the door for Adrian Gonzalez to come to Fenway.  The depth in pitching allows Buchholz to be the chip that can bring in Gonzalez.  With Gonzalez’s power bat at first, they can platoon Jeremy Hermida with another guy – say pick up Dan Uggla – to fill the spot in left field. 

In between all the dealings between the East and West, the Cardinals are waiting to hear back from Matt Holliday.  They made a respectable offer, but there might be more riding on a Holliday deal.

The Cardinals need to keep Albert happy, because if he’s not happy with the direction of team, he will have options.  

Just imagine if Pujols tested the free agent waters? -Greg Amsinger