Phils add one ace, deal another

By Dan Rodgers

The Philadelphia Phillies have said they have reached an agreement on a 3-year deal worth upwards of $60 million. Oh, I forgot to mention that the deal is with Toronto Blue Jays all-star Roy Halladay. The deal would send Halladay to the Phillies for prospects and in the process the Phillies would send could-have-been World Series MVP Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners for prospects.

This is the kind of deal that baseball fanatics, such as myself, love to see in the offseason because baseball disappears for a few months. So it is nice to see the MLB making headlines in the middle of December. However, it is even better to see that a divisional foe of my Yankees got rid of its ace/Yankee killer. Halladay was always spectacular but especially against the Yankees so I am glad to see him cross over to the NL. However, it is not nice to see that the Phils dealt Cliff Lee, who was phenomenal against the Yanks in the World Series, to the Mariners who are in the AL. Now Seattle has King Felix to go along with Lee and if you as me, that is one of the best one-two punches in the majors.

The Phillies are also looking to sign outfielder-first baseman Ross Gload to add some depth to the team. However, a more notable action is their pursuit of Fernando Rodney or John Smoltz to bolster up their bullpen.

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NL Gold Glove Awards

By Dan Rodgers

2009 NL Rawlings Gold Glove Awards Review:

C: Yadier Molina (STL) - One of the famous Molina brothers, Yadier is the most heralded for his ability behind the plate. He only made five errors behind the plate this year and recorded an impressive .995 fielding percentage. I don't see who else might deserve this award more than him.

1B: Adrian Gonzalez (SD) - Like Molina, it was also Gonzalez's second time winning the award. Sticking with the similarities to Molina, Gonzalez also recorded a .995 fielding percentage but with seven errors. This guy has a bright future on a below average -- at best -- team.

2B: Orlando Hudson (LAD) - Unlike the AL, the NL has a bit younger list with Hudson winning the award for the fourth time, more than any other of this year's NL winners.

3B: Ryan Zimmerman (WAS) - A bright young star, it was only Zim's first time winning this defensive award. Zim did commit 17 errors but similar to Longoria, his fielding percentage was a close second at .963. This guy, also like Longoria, will be a staple for this award for years to come as he only gets better at every aspect of his game.

SS: Jimmy Rollins (PHI) - Going to the World Series in consecutive seasons, Rollins was a large part of why that happened. His impecible defense, only six errors, is just one reason why he is an elite shortstop in the majors.

OF: Shane Victorino (PHI) - The only "veteran" in this extremely young outfield group, Victorino brings this award home for the second time and is showing everyone why he deserves to be a starter in this league.

OF: Michael Bourn (HOU) - The Phillies may have pulled a rabbit out of their hat with Victorino, but the Astros showed the Phillies they missed out on someone with Bourn. This kid can play some defense, a .992 fielding percentage. Oh and by the way, he can also steal bases at an alarming rate (61 steals - 2nd in MLB). He is quickly becoming an all-around player.

OF: Matt Kemp (LAD) - Kemp is a rising star for L.A. and had only two errors spending time in both center and right field. Not the best mentor in left field, Kemp will hopefully admire Manny's stats and not his attitude. Look for this kid to shine for years to come.

P: Adam Wainwright (STL) - Not only did he win 19 games this season, a career high, but he also did not commit a single error all year. He is one of the main reasons the Cards made it as far as they did and deserves this award just as much as the next the eight players above him.

Keep an eye out for other awards (MVP, Cy Young) to awarded later in the year.

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