Roy Halladay to Philly, Cliff Lee to Seattle

By now you may have heard about the huge three-team swap involving the Toronto Blue Jays, Philadelphia Phillies, and Seattle Mariners. All the details aren’t in — and until they are, the whole thing seems a bit mysterious. The big news is that the Phillies obtained Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays, but at the expense of trading Cliff Lee to the Mariners. It isn’t clear why the Phillies made this deal, since Lee is regarded by most analysts as Halladay’s near equal and is fifteen months younger, and. as Yankee hitters can attest, he’s World Series proven.

Nor is it clear exactly why Seattle, who led the American League in ERA last season, needed another ace starter — unless they plan on trading someone for an ace hitter, since they finished dead last in the AL in runs scored. Perhaps the Mariners have their eye on the Red Sox’s Jason Bay, who hit 36 home runs, drove in 119 runs and stole 13 bases last season and is reported to be ready to leave Boston. Read more

Ben Francisco To Be Added To Possible Lee

SEATTLE — Mariners rookie right-hander Chris Jakubauskas is appealing the fine he received from Major League Baseball on Monday for allegedly intentionally throwing at the Indians’ Ben Francisco.

“I talked to my agent this morning, and he has talked to the union,” Jakubauskas said prior to the Mariners’ game against the Blue Jays at Safeco Field on Tuesday. “From what I gathered, and I am new at this, I have to pay the fine immediately.”

Jakubauskas would not disclose the amount of the fine.

“It isn’t just about the money, but also about the principle,” he said. “I didn’t throw at him, and they are deeming that it was on purpose. It wasn’t on purpose. I know I am still a rookie and am wet behind the ears, but I know better than to do that. I know how I am, and hopefully through the appeal process, they can watch video of the game and the incident and figure out that it wasn’t on purpose.”

The incident occurred in the fifth inning of the Mariners’ Saturday afternoon game against the Indians, which Seattle lost, 10-3. Francisco, the first batter Jakubauskas faced after he had surrendered a home run to Asdrubal Cabrera, was hit by a pitch.

Both benches emptied, but order quickly was restored and the umpires issued a warning to both managers.
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