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Halladay rumors

Email|Link|Comments (20) Posted by Chad Finn, Globe Staff July 8, 2009 01:00 PM

After yesterday's revelation by Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi that he will listen to offers for ace Roy Halladay, it was tempting for Red Sox fans to daydream about acquiring the 32-year-old former Cy Young Award winner for a package of prospects.

Halladay-Beckett-Lester-Penny-Wakefield . . . go ahead and print those World Series tickets now.

As the rumors and speculation regarding Halladay begin to trickle in, the consensus seems to be that the Red Sox might be on a short list of potential suitors for the workhorse righthander, who has a no-trade clause. But the Philadelphia Phillies are perceived as the front-runner, and there are mixed opinions on what the Sox' level of interest might be.

One thing is certain, according to ESPN's Peter Gammons -- the Jays will be looking for a windfall of talent in return for Halladay, who is 10-2 with a 2.79 ERA this season.

"Look, we have Halladay through 2010, he makes us a contender with the young pitching we have, then we get two draft picks," Ricciardi told Gammons. "So anyone who comes to us with two young players -- that's the equivalent of the draft picks -- we'd need something else and something else and something else and something else.

"That doesn't mean we're going to trade him. But we'll listen to what people have to say."

Gammons, while noting that the Sox are pursuing former Jays shortstop Russ Adams, who was designated for assignment recently, says the Red Sox are less likely to pursue Halladay than are the Yankees. He also cites the Phillies, White Sox, and Dodgers as possible trade partners, though Los Angeles is unlikely to part with prized lefty Clayton Kershaw.

Halladay chatter elsewhere:

On his always-informative Twitter feed this morning, SI.com's Jon Heyman reports that Halladay gave the Jays the "go-ahead to find a trade for him," nothing that a friend of the pitcher's believes he would approve a deal to Boston, New York, or Philadelphia. Heyman also notes that a baseball executive doesn't believe the Jays will trade Halladay to an American League East rival such as the Red Sox or Yankees, even though Ricciardi said he would consider the possibility.
The New York Daily News's Mark Feinsand is skeptical that Halladay will be dealt within the division, and suggests the Yankees wouldn't want to part with the prospects it would take to bring him to the Bronx.

(Quick question: Do the Yankees even have the prospects it would take? You'd have to figure Joba Chamberlain is untouchable. Maybe Phil Hughes would be a starting point.)
The Phillies, with interesting cache of prospects at the higher levels and the desperate need for an ace with Cole Hamels struggling, might be the most logical landing spot. One scout told the Philadelphia Inquirer's Jim Salisbury, ""He's the best pitcher in baseball. "He'd win 27 games in the National League."

But another scout who isn't sold on the Phillies' farmhands tells Salisbury he believes Halladay will end up in Anaheim or Boston.

"The Phillies don't have enough," the scout said.
Old friend Gordon Edes suggests the Jays should have dealt Halladay last year, when the economic outlook wasn't so bleak.
The Angels have been tracking Halladay's availability for a while, but the price may be too steep, writes the Times's Mike DiGiovanna.

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20 comments so far...

Not sure the Yanks consider Joba untouchable anymore... They've got to see him as a disappointment in 2009, so far.

Posted by RR Fields July 8, 09 01:46 PM

He is going to the National League. They never trade star players within the division. The GM for the Blue Jays said that they would be open to offers from the Red Sox/Yankees(Which is a typical GM response) to see if the Jays can make both teams go into a bidding war which might yield a package that would be at the Blue Jays advantage. But they won't trade him to the Yankees unless they have Red Sox there to raise the ante and vice versa....

Posted by Charlie July 8, 09 02:16 PM

Perhaps it's time for the Red Sox to do the same thing to the Yankees that they did to the Sox regarding Teixara.

Theo should tell Ricciardi to get back to him after the Yankees have made you their best offer.

Posted by Derek July 8, 09 02:52 PM

Sox won't use young prospects on Halladay unless just to keep Yanks away. Sox plan to trade for J. Mauer next year and will need prospects for that trade.

Posted by Bigdog July 8, 09 03:24 PM

I will drive Bucholz, Bowden, Lars Anderson, and "insert another player here" to the airport right now. This guy is a complete stud, and would be considered one of the greatest pitchers of this era had he been on a winning team.

Posted by JA July 8, 09 03:24 PM

I believe they could trade within the division if the deal is good. The Jays are 8 behind, but if there thinking they can unload there most valuable chip for a plethara of young talent at the big league level. A move within the division could help there own team out on many angles, while taking potential diamonds away from a competitor as years go by and they develop. Now as for the Red Sox actually doing a move with them. It is tempting, because he is one of the best pitchers in the game, but you have the second best overall record right now in the big leagues, and can compete every game with any team now. So why would you want to sell practically all of your top young players for atleast a year and a half of a quality start every 5 days? It doesn't make sense. Now the Yankees are having host of problems with pitching, and I could see them allways throwing tons of young guys at a team for a star. Too bad they have no one to throw at the Blue Jays.

Posted by Raymond Nichols July 8, 09 03:36 PM

Posted by Raymond Nichols July 8, 09 03:37 PM

my question is...how do you "pursue" russ adams?
is that like saying i sure hope that prostitute will go out with me?
really, couldn't he be had for a couple free 5 dollar footlongs and an oil change?

Posted by benjikaye22 July 8, 09 03:55 PM

Charlie's right. Expect Halladay to go to a NL team that has a shot at winning it's own division and will use Halladay as an insurance measure (fallback position being the Wild Card.) Remember when Sabathia went from the Indians to the Brewers?

Posted by Ryan July 8, 09 04:03 PM

Isn't JP a Theo guy? If so, I don't see him as a Yankee. And I don't think the Yanks have the stockpile of veterans that Halladay would demand.

Posted by Travis July 8, 09 04:04 PM

What do the Jays need and who's got that to trade? Certainly they would want some pitching as part of the package and the Sox are in pretty good shape there. The Jays need some help at the plate too. The question is do the Sox have anything to offer there. The Sox don't have the same organzational depth on the offensive side of the ball. I also agree with the "don't trade within the Division" thing; it goes both ways too. Riccardi doesn't want to see Halliday three times a season and Theo would not necessarily want to see Bucholtz, three times a season, Bard eight times a season and Anderson nineteen times a season if it worked out that way. I'd bet Phillies or Angels.

Posted by Bruce Murphy July 8, 09 04:41 PM

I believe it is foolish to think in baseball cliches regarding a possible Halladay trade. The Jays should get the best package they can for Halladay and make that trade. Without Halladay, the Jays will not be a contender for at least three years or longer so what does it matter if Halladay goes to a division rival. I hope the Soxs can get him. As long as J.P. is not included in the trade.

Posted by august menchini July 8, 09 04:44 PM

What if the Dodgers jumped in here? They are clearly the best team in the NL right now and I would be fearful of a healthy Phillies team. They have always had a great farm system. The Dodgers tasted the playoffs last year and look poised for a run. I'm not a baseball expert, but the Dodgers don't look like they could beat any of the AL top tier teams. Add Halladay, could be a different story?

Posted by Dan July 8, 09 04:46 PM

We don't need him. We'll win the world series without him for the third time this year!

Posted by kevin Coye July 8, 09 05:30 PM

Halladay will not be traded. The Toronto front office is in transition and there's no way the owners allow Ricciardi to make this deal. Ricciardi has been in Toronto for 8 years and has received 20 players in return from trades. Only 3 players are still with the org. He has a lousy record and I would be surprised if Beeston (Acting Pres.) would allow his lousy GM to pull the trigger on a trade that involves the face of the franchise for "top level" prospects. Ricciardi has not done well in T.O. The excuse is always the Sox & Yanks have more $$. True but their best player by far is still someone who Ricciardi inherited. Ricciardi is the one that needs to be traded!

Posted by Dennis July 8, 09 05:40 PM

The Blue Jays have traded within the division before... Has anyone ever heard of Roger Clemens? In '07 & '08 Clemens won the Triple Crown of pitchers (wins; era; K's) for the Jays along with a Cy Young Award. In '99, he was traded to the Yankees. If I were the Sox, I would be aggressive! If there is anyway to land him, I would do it. Could you imagine Beckett, Halladay; Lester rotation in the playoffs? Lights out! You could raise the banner in August. "If" the Yankees were to get him, they would be the favorites.

Posted by Reagas July 8, 09 07:16 PM

Charlie:
I agree. If traded, NL for sure.

Posted by Sherri July 9, 09 12:50 AM

Don't be surprised if a Toronto insistance that Rojos(?) or V. Wells be included in Doc trade (my wouldn't they want to really clear up $$ issues for long term?!) means no activity for now. While Doc H would certainly be a bargain at 7 mill for rest of this year but then to sign a CC like deal and then someone have to pick up Wells 100+ mill contract will break any short sighted team (i.e "Stinkees"). I think Sox are in good shape in passing on Doc and don't dispair if NY overpays as it might sink them further into the abyss...

Posted by john71948 July 9, 09 05:38 AM

I think the Sox should offer Julio Lugo for Holliday, but only if the Jays will pay part of Holliday's salary.

Posted by Basball Bubba July 9, 09 07:50 AM

It's a good thing that Ricciardi doesn't have the final say here. This is beyond him and the powers- that -be must still be wondering about him tripping over himself to sign that terrible Vernon Wells contract.. Include Ricciardi in the trade for free.

Posted by Bob Biggar July 10, 09 11:40 AM