PhiLEE makes a left turn

• ESPN.com's Buster Olney told The Jim Rome Show that he figures that the moment the trade deadline passes tomorrow, Roy Halladay's value in a trade will drop 40-50% into the range of what the Minnesota Twins pulled for Johan Santana which is to say, not much. No pressure, J.P. Ricciardi.
• the once favored-to-get-Halladay Philadelphia Phillies looked in another direction ultimately and dealt for Cleveland Indians ace Cliff Lee. Lee is an attractive pickup, especially when he didn't cost anything off the Phillies major league roster. He's got great numbers this year outside of his won-lost record for a brutal team, is a career 12-2 vs. the National League, and at $9 million coming off a Cy Young last year, is a hell of a bargain. Did J.P. Ricciardi overplay his hand?
• in news that ought to surprise nobody, the NHL Board of Governor's unanimously - unanimously! - rejected Jim Balsillie's bid to become and NHL owner, while approving Jerry Reinsdorf's bid despite it being ultimately for tens of millions less for the Phoenix Coyotes. Is there a worse leader of a league in sports than Gary Bettman?
• I've always had the opinion that creating or even signing a petition qualifies you as a loser, so who else but Toronto Maple Leafs fans would be putting together a petition to get the Buds to go to their 1967-style logo. Sure it is better, but do you really believe that it is something the Leafs brass hasn't already considered?
• Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo has had ex-girlfriend Jessica Simpson banned from his property after he dumped her a few weeks back? Weird.
• Toronto FC dropped the opener in their CONCACAF Champions League, 1-0, despite dominating play. TFC will need to win the second leg and score 2 or more to advance.
• sounds like tomorrow is the day that Fedor Emelianenko will officially be introduced as a UFC fighter. Cannot wait to see him in the octagon, particularly against Brock Lesnar.
• the MLS All-Stars vs. Everton FC was a fantastic game to watch, loads of chances from both sides. The MLS crew looked incredibly cohesive for a bunch that had just come together days prior. The winner? Everton, by a 2-1 score in penalties. Unlike other all-star games, this one had hard competition, contact and guys who were looking to win. Man of the Match? As great as Conor Casey was for the MLS All-Stars, have to give the nod to Everton keeper, the U.S. born Tim Howard. Fantastic game from him to keep it close. Soccer is a game that lends itself well to an interesting all-star game.
  
• since opening the year 22-9, the Toronto Blue Jays are 27-42. Hard to believe it is the same team, isn't it?

Have a great Thursday.