Cliff Lee

I was downright shocked to see the Philadelphia Phillies pull off the Roy Halladay trade.

I figured that with Cliff Lee’s performance in the 2009 postseason, they were satisfied with the deal they pulled off to get him, and were content going with him and Cole Hamels atop their rotation.

I’m sure they probably would have been had Lee been open to signing a long-term extension. I think it needs to be pointed out that the reason they went after Halladay was because he was willing to sign long-term.

When the Philadelphia Phillies sent Cliff Lee to Seattle in order to make room for Rory Halladay, I shook my head. I couldn't understand the concept of sending a No. 1 starter and picking up another one.

Lee was not ecstatic to realize the team he helped to the World Series had the door open for him with his hat in their hand.

So much for gratitude, eh?

He is currently with his third team in less than a year. The Phillies obviously rented him from Cleveland in the middle of last season.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: FANTASY BASEBALL INSIDERS

As the season approaches, I will pinpoint a few different aspects of fantasy baseball which  are overlooked by most managers. This edtion’s “overlooked aspect” has to do with high innings-pitched totals, particularly in the postseason.

After years of taking a backseat to the Angels, it is time for the Mariners to step up and take back control of the AL West.

The team had potential last year, but not exactly enough to get ahead of the Angels or the Rangers.

Trust me, this season will be different.

It is customary, I suppose, at the beginning of each year to list some resolutions you intend to adhere to, in an effort to become a better person.

I, Caesar Cliffius, realizing that I cannot improve on what I am (not that I am perfect, just complacent), decided to try my hand at prognostication.

Below are five of my predictions for 2010 in the world of Major League Baseball.

No. 5: 20 Wins for Homer Bailey

It is only late December, and already the offseason for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim feels like it's winding down.

Most of the big fish that dominated the post-Word Series headlines have already been caught and what remains is little more than bait for future trade hooks.

Two monsters still lurk the depths, but each appears to be circling one lone lure, searching for another to compare it with.

Matt Holliday and Jason Bay have received sizable offers from the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets respectively, and no team has been reported to match either.

The offseason is always filled with numerous trades and free agent signings.

But with each deal that's made, players' fantasy stocks increase, some decrease, and others stay the same with their new team.

This offseason was no different.

In fact, more major moves happened this year than in recent years.

We all know about Seattle's signing of Chone Figgins. The three-team deal involving Curtis Granderson and of course the four-team megadeal that had Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee changing addresses.

With the end of year (and decade) approaching, we here at The Dugout Sports Show would like to present our “Cleveland Indians All-Decade Team”. After hours of studying stats, and much careful consideration, we put together the best seasons at each individual position. Enjoy!

The Cleveland Indians were 816-804 during the decade, including 9-8 in the postseason, winning one postseason series, which came in 2007 against the New York Yankees.

The moment we have all been waiting for has finally come; Roy Halladay is no longer a Blue Jay.

But interestingly, Cliff Lee is no longer a part of the Phillies.

It was no surprise that the Phillies would have to give something up to get Halladay but no one really saw this one coming with the success that Lee showed in this past postseason.

After a few days of hammering out physicals and filing paperwork, the Phillies announced on Wednesday that they have traded Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners, and will hold a press conference at 5:00 EST to announce that they acquired Roy Halladay from Toronto.

The Phillies also acquire Phillippe Aumont, J.C. Ramirez, and Tyson Gillies from the Mariners along with $6 million from the Blue Jays. Philadelphia sends Kyle Drabek, Michael Taylor and Travis d'Arnaud to the Jays, who ship Taylor to Oakland for Brett Wallace.