ACES WILD! LACKEY, HALLADAY, LEE ON THE MOVE!

Traditionally, the period between the Winter Meetings and Christmas has produced some very big deals, and this year doesn't look to be much different. Two big pitching deals have been reported on today, forget big, HUGE. The ramifications of which will be felt at multiple locations.

First off, John Lackey has signed a deal with the Boston Red Sox. It's for 5 years and roughly 85 million. Surprised to see Boston go against club policy and sign someone over 30 for that length, but I guess they'd rather give it to a pitcher than a hitter? Or maybe, seeing that Jason Bay is likely leaving, they wanted to strengthen one area, and the Bulldog gives them strength in spades. He's got the perfect fiery demeanor for this team, so Boston pounced silently and quickly and got the job done. This gives them six good starters that they can play with. Will one be a long man? Will one be trade bait? We'll see, but with Lackey in the fold, you can easily see them trying to swing a deal with San Diego for Adrian Gonzalez. Clay Bucholz would be leading that package for sure. Or maybe they can flip Matsuzaka for a left fielder, say maybe Adam Dunn? Whatever they do decide to do, the Red Sox have clearly made a splash and bolstered their rotation.

Next up is a blockbuster three team deal that is currently in the works, but should be finalized within the next couple of days. This deal finally sends Roy "Doc" Halladay to the team that has obviously coveted him the most in the past year, the Philadelphia Phillies. What is surprising is that the reports say that Cliff Lee will be heading to Seattle in the deal. I would think the Phillies would kill to have those guys as their one-two, even if it was for a year of supreme dominance, but maybe the fact that they can sign Halladay for a cheaper/shorter extension than they could with the younger Lee is more attractive. Don't get me wrong, to me, Halladay is the best pitcher in baseball, so grabbing him is an upgrade to even the phenomenal Lee. However, while Halladay and Lee have been the major reports here, Joe Blanton and J.A. Happ have also taken physicals and may be part of this as well. Would Seattle take those two instead of Lee? If so, that's a steal for Philly, but with the major smoke around Lee's name, you'd have to think it was him. Many other prospects from the Phillies and Mariners have also been named, so look for Toronto to get a sizable prospect package with all they desire.

Do these deals affect the divisions they play in? Yes, they affect them aplenty.

Lets start in the NL East. More than anyone else, the Mets are very hurt by this. Their rotation behind Johan Santana is pretty much a mess, and their need to add top flight pitching was great. Lackey was the top free agent pitcher on the market, and Halladay was the top pitcher available in trades, and in one fell scoop they're off the boards. Even if the Phillies are giving up Lee, they are keeping Halladay away from their biggest rivals. The feeling from Mets fans and NY sports columnists and commentators was that they needed to get one of these guys, and while it's hard argue that, I've been steadfast that they wouldn't land either. Lackey was too expensive for their sensibilities even if they do have the money, and unless they were trading Jose Reyes, they didn't have the pieces Toronto wanted. And, yes, they wanted Reyes. Personally, I would've traded the shortstop, but that's me. Now the Mets have to pick up the right second (third? fourth?) tier pitcher, and, more importantly, make sure they land the offensive pieces they need. They could also try to work a creative deal for a better starter, but who would be available? One such pitcher that is available is Derek Lowe, but I don't think the Braves would trade a major piece like that to a division rival. That said, the market for Lowe has now gone up, so the Braves' need for an outfielder can be fulfilled via trade.

That last line ties right into the next division I'll address, and that is the AL West. With these major pitchers moving on, the Angels are faced with two major problems. The gaping hole in their rotation left by Lackey, and a rival's pitching staff getting a major stud in Cliff Lee to add to King Felix. Lowe is a perfect match for the Angels and they can easily deal Juan Rivera for him. This one is imperative for Anaheim more than the Braves. The Angels did add a big bat today, though, much to my chagrin, and that's Hideki Matsui, but that will get its own column. Seattle is becoming a major winner of this off-season, and should everything break right can overtake the Angels next season.

Finally, the AL East is certainly going to feel the ramifications of these moves. Again, the Red Sox have upped the ante with Lackey. They've added to what was already a good rotation, and now may have the best one. The Yankees will have to think long and hard now about how to fill their last two rotational holes. A free agent and a trade? A trade and one of the youngsters? The Yankees' reaction to this will be very interesting, and I wonder if they'd be players for Lowe, who they know can pitch in the AL East. Would they have to send Nick Swisher to Atlanta? I'd say that would create more problems, and Swisher is a big clubhouse guy. Instead, I'd trade for Bronson Arroyo, a solid pitcher whom we can get for Melky Cabrera, which would allow some breathing room in the outfield. Also, let's not forget, moving Halladay out of the league gives each team a few more wins a year. I'll take that.

Very fascinating day altogether, and as I write this, the Red Sox have also signed Mike Cameron for two years. This definitely closes the door for Jason Bay there, and also takes a good outfielder out of the pool. I'll look at this deeper as part of the Matsui post. As the night goes on, though, we may find out who the players are in the Halladay mega-trade, but I'd be surprised if Lee does not go to Seattle at this point in the reporting. Stay tuned...