Halladay and Lee work out at Citizens Bank Park

The workouts for Roy Halladay began Dec. 1 in Clearwater, Fla., and have continued on a regular basis. There have been interruptions along the way, banquets such as Monday's Philadelphia Sports Writers awards dinner in Cherry Hill. But the trip north allowed for a happening earlier in the day that will make Phillies fans smile.

Both Halladay and Cliff Lee worked out at Citizens Bank Park.

"It's been an easy winter," Halladay said.

Who knows what "easy" is by Halladay standards. Yet again, Halladay was the first Phillie to report to the team's spring training complex, making the daily commute from his home in nearby Odessa, Fla. As Halladay began the sweat of another off-season, Lee and the Phillies negotiated his return to create what could be one of the greatest pitching rotations of all time. And Halladay is at the head of it.

"It's fun for all of us," Halladay said. "Not only for the pitchers but everybody else."

With less than two weeks until the first workout in Clearwater for pitchers and catchers, optimism is high, as it usually is about this time.

"I'm not one to sit here and make predictions or make bold statements to stir the pot," outfielder Shane Victorino said, "but I think if you look on paper, we're the favorites to win it all."

Many would argue that's not a bold statement at all, simply because of the pitching staff the Phillies have assembled. The rest of the team is likely set, with plenty of competition to come in spring training. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said he does not have any offers on the table to remaining free agents at this time.

It will all begin with Halladay, who will start opening day and is the ace of aces on this possibly historic staff.

Halladay was one of the first people to learn about Lee's return because he heard it from the source: Amaro. The GM called before the deal was completed to kindly let Halladay know that Lee would be earning more money than he was.

"Very classy," Halladay said of Amaro's phone call. "Obviously, they didn't need my approval to do it. The fact that they just called me and asked me what I thought, it's a classy thing that a lot of other people and a lot of other teams wouldn't do. I think it just goes to show you another reason why players want to play here right now because of those type of people in the front office that are looking out for all their players."