Mariners are close to deal to acquire Phillies ace Cliff Lee

A blockbuster, three-team trade that would send former Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee to the Mariners was on the verge of being completed late Monday night.

The deal between the Mariners, Phillies and Blue Jays would also send Cy Young winner Roy Halladay to Philadelphia and a package of prospects to Toronto. Seattle was said to be giving up a group of prospects, among them former No. 1 draft pick Phillippe Aumont and Class A outfielder Tyson Gillies.

Lee, 31, is under contract for one more season at $9 million and had indicated to the Phillies he'd be interested in testing the free-agent market after the 2010 season. His addition would give the Mariners, who already have staff ace Felix Hernandez, one of the best top-end rotation punches in baseball and leave Seattle the option of dealing Lee next summer or likely collecting two compensatory draft picks if he leaves as a free agent.

Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik declined to comment Monday night. But Zduriencik was expected to speak to the media on Tuesday at a news conference to introduce newly acquired third baseman Chone Figgins.

The Mariners also used Monday to solidify their catching situation, signing Eliezer Alfonzo, 30, who hit .238 in 155 big-league games with San Francisco and San Diego, to a minor-league deal with an invitation to spring training. Seattle had sought veteran insurance at the position in the event Rob Johnson wasn't sufficiently recovered from offseason surgeries.

As rumors of the pending deal swirled throughout Monday, the list of potential trade candidates from the Mariners' side grew larger and larger. There were also reports the deal was still ongoing, with Toronto seeking top Philadelphia outfielder prospect Dominic Brown, but being offered young outfielder Michael Taylor instead.

ESPN reported Monday night that Taylor was indeed headed to Toronto and that parts of the deal had been revised. Instead of heading back to his native Canada to pitch for Toronto, Aumont instead was now headed to Philadelphia.

Gillies, also a Canadian, was reported by ESPN to be on his way to the Phillies as well. The Blue Jays were said to be getting Taylor, catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud and one of two pitchers — J.A. Happ or Kyle Drabek.

It was not immediately clear whether the Mariners would have to give up more than former No. 1 draft pick Aumont and Gillies, the latter named to the Futures Game last summer. Sources had indicated that J.C. Ramirez, a Class A starter in the Mariners system, might also be going as part of the trade.

But that could not be confirmed.

There were also unconfirmed rumors throughout the day that one of either pitcher Brandon Morrow, left fielder Michael Saunders or Class AA shortstop prospect Carlos Triunfel could be added to Seattle's trade package.

The office of MLB commissioner Bud Selig on Sunday granted the Phillies a 72-hour window to negotiate a long-term deal with Halladay, who has reportedly agreed to a three-year extension with that club through 2013. Philadelphia attempted to acquire Halladay — a free agent after 2010 — last July, but, after talks broke down, dealt for Lee instead.

The acquisition of Lee, regardless of whether he eventually becomes a free agent, could dramatically impact the balance of power in the American League West in 2010. The three-time defending division champion Angels suffered a triple blow on Monday, learning the Mariners were about to land Lee and that their own staff ace, John Lackey, had agreed to a free-agent deal with the Boston Red Sox.

The Angels had also been vying to land Halladay and now appear to lack a front-line starter as the top pitching candidates vanish from the market. Los Angeles is also still coming to terms with losing third baseman Figgins to the Mariners, who agreed to a four-year deal with the offensive catalyst when the Angels are believed to have offered only three.

In obtaining Lee, who started and won Games 1 and 4 for the Phillies in the World Series after a midseason trade from Cleveland, the Mariners will have a one-year window to work on a long-term extension with the pitcher. The presence of Lee, who won the Cy Young in 2008 by going 22-3 with a 2.54 earned-run average, could also be used by the team as an incentive to lure Felix Hernandez into a long-term contract as the team attempts to become a playoff contenders sooner rather than later.

Lee went 14-13 with a 3.22 ERA overall last season. He was 7-4 with a 3.39 ERA in the second half for Philadelphia and also went 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in the postseason.

Lee was 9-1 with a 3.28 ERA lifetime against the Mariners, including 5-1 with a 3.67 ERA at Safeco Field.

Geoff Baker: 206-464-8286 or gbaker@seattletimes.com.

Read his daily blog at www.seattletimes.com/Mariners;

Larry Stone: 206-464-3146 or lstone@seattletimes.com.