Phils general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is obsessed with Halladay. People close to Amaro say he began plotting strategy to get Halladay as far back as the summer of 2008.

The Phillies' pursuit of Toronto ace Roy Halladay appears to be reaching a boil.

Two baseball sources told CSNPhilly.com Monday that the team is actively talking about a contract extension with representatives for the 32-year-old righthander. It is likely that the Phillies would want to sign Halladay to an extension before they traded for him. Without an extension, Halladay would be eligible for free agency after the 2010 season.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay and his agent have checked into a Philadelphia-area hotel, according to two Inquirer sources.

It is not known if a trade sending Halladay to the Phillies is imminent, but if Halladay and the Phils are negotiating--as is indicated by the pitcher's presence in Philadelphia--that would suggest that the Phils and Blue Jays are far enough along in talks for Halladay to discuss a potential contract extension with the Phils. Halladay has one year remaining on his contract before becoming a free agent.

It is unclear which players the Phillies would send to the Blue Jays if the deal happens, but there were indications Monday that pitcher Cliff Lee could be traded. Trading Lee would help the Phillies get the prospects needed to complete the deal with Toronto. It would also free up $9 million in salary that would help the Phillies take on Halladay's $15.75 million salary for 2010.