Three things about "The Trade"

First: MLB.com has a bit about the prospects involved in the "any minute now blockbuster" between the Mariners/Phillies/Blue Jays.

Here are the parts about the ex-Rattlers:

Phillippe Aumont ('08):
The Mariners, partially because of durability concerns and partially because his two-pitch power mix seemed perfect for the role, turned Aumont into a full-time reliever in 2009. After pitching very well for Team Canada in the World Baseball Classic, he saved 12 games and had a .195 batting average against while pitching in a very hitter-friendly High Desert park in the California League. That led to a promotion to Double-A. He was a bit more hittable there, though he still finished the season with 16 combined saves and 59 strikeouts in 51 innings. He did miss time with a broken left hand when he punched a wall following a blown save. He made up some time in the Arizona Fall League, where he gave up 19 hits and eight walks in 12 innings, but also struck out 18.

Juan Ramirez ('08):
Ramirez still has some projection and upside to him at 6-foot-3. He's already got a pretty good fastball he can crank as high as 97 mph to go along with a very good hard slider. His changeup lags behind, never surprising for a young pitcher, and it's possible he could be a dynamo short reliever when all is said and done.

Second: The usual suspects are giddy about Cliff Lee and not that broken up about losing three prospects.

Third: You do realize that if Aumont and Ramirez start at their careers in the Phillies organization they will be playing in Reading...for former Timber Rattlers manager Steve Roadcap...don't you?

Quick Update

I had this story from Philly.com open when I was writing that last post, but didn't look at it until after I had posted. The details.

The Halladay/Lee deal is "very unlikely" to be finalized today, according to a person familiar with the talks. An official announcement could very well come tomorrow. The two sides are likely still working on the specifics of a contract extension.

There has been some unrest in my inbox this morning about reports of this trade. The widely reported deal is a good one for the Phillies, but your concerns are understandable. Reports varied yesterday evening, but the framework has now come into focus as pretty much this:

Phillies get: Roy Halladay from Toronto, 20-year-old righthander Phillippe Aumont form Seattle, 21-year-old righty J.C. Ramirez from Seattle, and 21-year-old outfielder Tyson Gillies from Seattle.

Click the link to see the rest of the deal. But I did want to share this beautiful sample of Philadelphia optimism...

Will either Aumont or Ramirez become major league stars? Not likely. It is never likely that pitching prospects will become solid major leaguers. But they do help ease the hit to the farm system caused by this trade.

Always look on the bright side of life, my friend.

Ramirez in Post-Intelligencer

Jason Churchill's M's Farm Report in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer is on Rattler pitcher Juan Ramirez.

"He's found a consistent release point, and the key is for him to hang onto that, even when he struggles," said the scout, who spent parts of 13 seasons pitching in pro ball and another seven as a pitching coach in two organizations. "Most young pitchers that fail, fail because they aren't able to find consistencies, whether it be in a pitch, or more likely, their mechanics.

"If Ramirez is finding that at his age, it's bonus for Seattle. He'll be on a nice path to the big leagues."

To this point, however, Ramirez remains a raw prospect with velocity and underdeveloped off-speed pitches. But that's what the minor leagues are for, and the club's second-best pitching prospect is showing an acumen for the game far beyond his years, suggesting his maturity and work ethic are more than adequate. And Ramirez is not all about projection.

That's just a part of it. Head over to check it all out.