MLB

As reported by ESPN, a three-team blockbuster deal is all but done. The deal will involve the Blue Jays sending Roy Halladay to the Phillies, the Phillies dealing Cliff Lee to the Mariners, and a handful of prospects going in all different directions. Call me crazy, but there’s only one winner in this deal—the Mariners.

The Phillies are already loaded. They already have Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer, Joe Blanton, and J.A. Happ. This is arguably the best starting rotation in the NL East.

This is part two of my updated two-part series highlighting the Boston Red Sox' potential Opening Day roster.

For the Mariners, this trade is, to sum it up in one word, awesome. Not only are they significantly improving their chances of being a serious contender in 2010, but they're doing it without giving up all that much of the future.

As of right now, it appears that the Mariners will be sending Phillippe Aumont, JC Ramirez, and Tyson Gillies to the Phillies, in exchange for Cliff Lee.

Despite ending 2009 with a blown opportunity to go to the ALCS, the Boston Red Sox enter 2010 with a completley new look. 

The acquisition of John Lackey adds depth to what was already an A+ starting rotation. Likely to be placed in the number three position, the addition leaves the Red Sox in the clear to possibly start 2010 with a six man rotation.

The 31 year old right-hander finished 2009 with an 11-8 record and a ERA at 3.83, his highest ERA since 2004.

With the 2009 free agent market beginning to turn the corner, names are being erased off the chalkboard and only a few big players remain. One week ago when the GM Meetings were taking place, we didn’t see too many signings, only trade rumors.

To start the week off, Phillies fans received a nice little Christmas gift from the Toronto Blue Jays. After being strongly connected to trade rumors involving SP Roy Halladay since June, the Phillies finally set the deal in stone and acquired Halladay.

On Tuesday the Dodgers dealt Juan Pierre to the White Sox for two pitching prospects to be named later.  While the transaction will cost the Dodgers their fourth outfielder (who had a successful 2009 season), they will save about $8 million.  The deal, yet again, exemplifies this off-season's plan for the Dodgers: the No Improvement Plan.

Red Sox fans are just getting used to the idea of Mike Cameron patrolling left field for the Red Sox next season. And for many, it's not a particularly sexy idea.

After all, Cameron is 37 and has a lifetime .250 average. Among active players, only Jim Thome (2,313) has struck out more times than Cameron (1,798).

It's tough to get excited about that.

THE 1926 TIGERS

Year: 1926

Record: 79-75

Win Percentage: .513

Win Percentage Change: -13

Run Differential: -37

Pythagorean Record: 74-80

AL Finish: sixth of eight

Manager: Ty Cobb

For Chicago Cubs GM Jim Hendry, for Texas Rangers GM Jon Daniels, and for free-agent outfielder Marlon Byrd, the last 48 hours have made an interesting, interwoven series of impacts upon the tone and tenor of the MLB offseason.

Lost amid the flurry of Monday's higher-profile deals, free-agent outfielder Mike Cameron agreed to a two-year pact with the Boston Red Sox.

I realize that the sale of the team will not actually take place today, and that Bud Selig's "deadline" is really just to establish which group will get exclusive negotiating rights to buy the team, but my feelings are still the same.

There are no numbers or stats that support my feelings, simply a strong tug on my gut that really just wants to see Tom Hicks tip his hat and leave the organization.