SEATTLE -- The Philadelphia Phillies got ace Roy Halladay from Toronto and traded Cliff Lee to Seattle on Wednesday, completing a complicated, four-team deal that featured a pair of Cy Young winners.
Oakland also was part of the nine-player swap. Money was a key factor, too. The Blue Jays sent $6 million to Philadelphia with Halladay, who then agreed to a $60 million, three-year contract extension through 2013.
Tags: Baseball
BOSTON -- Pitcher John Lackey has finalized an $82.5 million, five-year contract with the Boston Red Sox.
The top pitcher in the free agent market joins a strong rotation that includes right-hander Josh Beckett, and lefty Jon Lester.
General manager Theo Epstein called Lackey a significant boost to the team.
Lackey has a 102-71 regular-season record with a 3.81 ERA in eight seasons, all with the Angels. At Fenway Park, the right-hander is 2-5 with a 5.75 ERA in nine starts.
Tags: Baseball
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Hideki Matsui and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a one-year contract worth about $6.5 million on Wednesday, bringing the World Series MVP and two-time All-Star to the AL West power.
Matsui hit .274 with 28 homers and 90 RBI last season for the New York Yankees, then was selected World Series MVP despite starting only three of the six games against the Philadelphia Phillies. He went 8 for 13 (.615) with three homers and eight RBI, tying a Series record by driving in six runs in Game 6.
Tags: Baseball
