The Phillies’ spring training opener against Florida State was highlighted (if that’s the right word) by top pitching prospect Phillippe Aumont’s outing.

The 6-7 right-hander allowed five runs on three hits while issuing three walks in 2/3 of an inning.

“It’s the first outing, you have to start with that,” Aumont said . “I can’t do worse than that. We’re just going to have to build on that.”

As for the rest of the game:

• Every Phillies regular started the game except for Shane Victorino, who is nursing a sore shoulder.
• Jimmy Rollins led off the game with a single and stole second base in his only at-bat.
• Top position-player prospect Domonic Brown singled, knocked in a run and scored twice.
• Dane Sardinha went 2-for-2 with four RBIs.
• J.A. Happ pitched two scoreless innings
• Jesus Sanchez, the only player left from the Bobby Abreu trade to the Yankees in 2006, struck out the side in his only inning of work.
• The Phillies rallied from a five-run deficit to win, 13-6, in eight innings.
• Drew Naylor didn’t allow a hit and fanned four in two innings of work.

Height: 6-7

Weight: 230

Throw: Right

Potential: Could be a right-handed Randy Johnson or the next Jeff Juden.

Career Notes: a 2007 first-round pick of the Seattle Mariners; replaces Kyle Drabek (Toronto) as the Phillies’ top pitching prospect; ranked No. 47 on MLB.com’s top prospects list for 2010.

On living up to expectations as a Philadelphia athlete

“There’s always expectations. You give up somebody that big, a Cy Young winner … I kind of prepare myself for that. I’m working hard every single day to be as good as I can be. I know that’s what the Phillies want. And I want to prove to them that this wasn’t a mistake.”

On becoming a starter again

“I don’t have a preference. Coming out of the bullpen last year, it fit my attitude in being aggressive. I learned a lot. I think going back to the rotation is going to be fine. I’ve tasted both. I have some experience now. Every fifth day, this is my day, this is what I have to do. Every single start is going to be a little bit easier for me than in 2008. I’m really looking forward to it. I’m going to be able to work on my pitches. I’m going to throw a lot of innings. The more I get, the more I’m happy, because when I’m on the mound, I’m in heaven. In my mind, I’m floating. This is the place that I want to be.”

I  understand why some (most?) Phillies fans are baffled by the Roy Halladay-for-Cliff Lee trade. So, I’ll try to break it all down by arguing some basic points coming out of this deal …

Contention

 Cliff Lee was awesome last season. It’s stupid that we are trading our best pitcher.

Rebuttal

Yes, Lee carried the pitching staff and without him, a return trip to the World Series might not have happened. However, fans have to realize two things: A) Lee is a free agent after 2010 and he will not re-sign with the Phillies, and B) Halladay is better. Period.

Fact is, had we not traded Lee right now, we would get nothing in return of equal or greater value once he bailed for more money.According to reports, the Phillies approached Lee about a contract extension recently, and he declined. Simply put, he wants to test free agency.

In addition, from what I understand, Lee isn’t  thrilled to be in Philadelphia. In other words, I’m not so sure he’s ever been very comfortable here, which is yet another reason why the Phillies have zero chance to sign him.

Roy Halladay is better and he wants to be here. Look at the career numbers and compare. Some fans of the Phillies do not know Halladay, thus they are reluctant to trade Lee. Well, all I have to say is… just wait.  There’s a reason why Halladay is considered the best pitcher of this decade.

One more thing to consider: Lee wasn’t necessarily dominant during the regular season. After a strong start, he was awful from late-August to the end of September. I don’t think you’ll get a more consistently good-to-great pitcher than Halladay.

Contention

We could have kept Cliff Lee and traded Cole Hamels instead.

Rebuttal

Uh, no, we couldn’t.

Fact is, Lee was sexy trade bait because he’s earning an affordable salary and he’s in the last year of his contract. Hamels, on the other hand, is locked up for the next three seasons and is coming off a terrible year. Hamels’ trade value is at an all-time low.

Fact the facts: Cliff Lee was a one-year rental at best. On the other hand, we’re getting Halladay for at least four seasons.

Contention

The Phillies gave up a lot of prospects to get Lee. Now, we traded Lee and even more of our best prospects for Halladay. That’s dumb!

Rebuttal

On paper, yes, it appears the Phillies emptied their farm system for, essentially, one player.

But I’ll tell you to take another look. A harder look.

The Phillies, by most accounts, traded an average package of prospects to get Lee. I’m sure catcher Lou Marson will be a starter at some point, but what about pitcher Carlos Carrasco and infielder Jason Donald? Carrasco was horrendous in his September call-up, while Donald projects to be a career back up. The young flame-thrower, Jason Knapp, is coming off major surgery and is still four or five years away from the bigs.

Now, on to the Halladay deal…

I was initially disappointed to learn that Kyle Drabek, arguably the Phillies’ best pitching prospect, would be dealt to Toronto. I think everyone in the Philadelphia area  hyped up this kid to be The Next Big Thing … but, upon further review, the Phillies are getting two of the Mariners’ best prospects, INCLUDING THEIR VERY BEST, right-hander Phillippe Aumont, who is basically Seattle’s version of Drabek.

Outfielder Tyson Gillies is supposed to be the Phillies’ version of Michael Taylor, who is headed to Oakland.

So, all in all, it looks like a pretty fair trade.

Look at it this way: The Phillies are getting the best pitcher in baseball, one of the best pitching prospects in baseball (Aumont), two more quality prospects (Gillies and RHP Juan Ramirez) and $6 million cash!

In conclusion, this trade works well in the Phillies’ favor. Embrace the fact that Halladay is coming to town and will dominant the National League over the next several years.

Sounds good, right?

According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, Roy Halladay has agreed to a contract extension with the Phillies. Terms of the contract are undisclosed.

Here’s the breakdown on the four-team blockbuster, which now includes Oakland

Phillies Acquire (from Toronto)

• RHP Roy Halladay
• RHP Phillippe Aumont  (minor leaguer)
• OF Tyson Gillies (minor leaguer)
• RHP Juan Ramirez (minor leaguer)
• $6 million cash

Toronto Acquires (From Philadelphia/Oakland)

• C Travis d’Arnaud (minor leaguer)
• RHP Kyle Drabek (minor leaguer)
• 1B/3B Brett Wallace (minor league)

Seattle Acquires

• LHP Cliff Lee

Oakland Acquires (From Toronto via Phillies)

• OF Michael Taylor (minor leaguer)

More reaction to come …