First impressions

Well the dealing is done. (Maybe.) And our general managers publicly unveiled their new trophies today.

Combined, Roy Halladay, John Lackey and Mike Cameron have played for 35 seasons. Halladay has never been to the playoffs. Cameron has been four times, but has only won two series he has been in. After winning the World Series as a rookie, Lackey hasn't had much success, as the Angels have won just two of six playoff series since 2002.

So do you think they're excited about joining two of baseball's elite teams?

Halladay:

This is a dream come true. The longer you play in your carer the more important (winning) becomes. I've been able to establish myself, achieve things. The more I play, the more I realize how important that is for me. To see a team do it in back-to-back years and have that success says a lot about the players in the clubhouse and people that are putting the team together. It's not an accident. I want to be a part of that. I've heard great things about the people and great things about the organization. That is big for me.

The biggest thing is having a chance to win and hopefully do it a couple of times. For me, that was the biggest factor.

Lackey:

"Obviously, I've been here for some big names," said Lackey, who has made four postseason starts against the Red Sox and pitched 7 1/3 shutout innings in Game 1 of the American League Division Series in October, setting the tone for an Angels sweep. "I'm here to win. The bottom line is that I've always had a lot of respect for this organization from the other side. Winning is the biggest thing for me and I know the organization has a great chance to do that. Hopefully, I can help."

And Cameron:

From my past visits here, I kind of understand the passion people have here toward the game. I feel the same way. As much as a player, I've been a big fan of the game. When you go to different place you see the excitement and passion people have. I had a chance to go somewhere special and play in the World Series.

Hopefully, we'll see all three in the 2010 World Series.

Cliff Lee odds and ends: Christine reminded me that, this summer, I said people were stupid to buy Cliff Lee jerseys and T-shirts because even if he stuck around, he could have switched numbers from 34 to 31. Now, all those Lee fans must be wondering whether it's OK to just slap Halladay over their No. 34s. No, it's not. ... Not only did Doc take his uniform number, the Phillies didn't wait to replace the Cliff Lee bobblehead giveaway with a Roy Halladay bobblehead giveaway. This might set a record for the quickest bobblehead announcement.

Finally, I'm sure the debate whether the Phillies should have kept Lee will continue through the season. Here are two more views: one on why he doesn't fetch more in trades, the other on why the last two years of dealing make sense for the Phillies.

[Photo credits: Associated Press]