How far would you be willing to go for Halladay?

I think that the frame of reference for a Halliday trade should be the trade for Pedro Martinez. A younger (26) Cy Young award winning pitcher whose stats in previous season (1997) 17-8, 1.90 ERA for the Expos were great..

Pedro was traded to the Red Sox for prospects Carl Pavano and Tony Armas Jr.

J.P. is smart. If he can the windfall prospects he is asking for. more power to him. I don't see the Sox matching the asking price, mostly because they aren't that desperate.

Write In Vote:
Buchholz, Delcarmen, Chris Carter, Jeff Natale, Ryan Kalish

Im curious as to what the players are thinking right now.... I dont know Halladay but all I have to say is this guy better be good.

I think they can afford to give up Buchholz and Bowden easily because we still have Tazawa waiting in the wings and he looks really good. I wouldnt want to give up Anderson because Aaron Bates didn't do very well in his call up and hes getting up there in age. Lars is the 1B of the future and Bard is the closer of the future(or setuo man). Giving away a future #1 starter, future top 3 starter, future closer, and future starting 1B is too rich of a package for a 32 year old I don't care how good Halladay is.

My vote:
Buchholz, Bowden, Delcarmen, Chris Carter, Ryan Kalish.

Move Penny to the bullpen or trade him, and give Bard Delcarmen's role.

The bigger issue is how much salary the Blue Jays are requiring a team to take on with Halliday (Wells?). See trade for Beckett to include Lowell. This will make a big difference in the prospects they are able to obtain for Halliday.

Too easy...but it has to be Buchholz as the focal point.
Buchholz, Hagadone, DelCarmen and Cash

Halladay is a sure thing. I live in Ontario and watch 90 % of the Jays games and the stats he has compiled with those teams. Look at his stats, and keep in mind those are on a .500 team for the most part. You take him out and put him on the Sox, with the existing pitching staff and lineup, WOW. There is a limit though, and I think 2 of those top prospects mentioned plus maybe Delcarmen, or 1 or 2 other lesser prospects. But 3 or more of those from your list is way too much.

Yeah! Who is this Roy Halladay character you speak of? He must not be that good if the those Blue Jays are willing to get rid of him. I would want somebody that can carry an entire pitching staff and pick up a win when the offense only puts up 1 or 2 runs the day he throws. And he has to eat up innings and own the AL East. I realize this all seems pretty demanding, but I'm not sure this Halladay fellow can do any of these things.

Buchholz, Bowden, and either Bard or DelCarmen for Halladay makes sense. If the Blue Jays want more, send them Anderson, but the Jays then need to take Lugo and 1 year of his salary.

If the Sox get Halladay, you then trade Penny to the Philiies for 2 prospects to help reestablish the farm.

Why is everyone so willing to give up our best four or five prospects (together or individually) for a 32 year old pitcher. Yes, I know it's Halladay and he's a great pitcher, but Bard is looking like a great future closer/reliever, Buchholz is beyond prospect status, Anderson is our future first baseman (or at least solid insurance if we don't find a better alternative). The only one seemingly worth trading is Bowden, who is pitching well, but not spectacularly for the PawSox right now. All of this is aside from the fact that Toronto would probably not take a straight Bowden for Halladay trade and the fact that we do not need more starting pitching. Would it be nice if Toronto gifted us (and it would be a gift unless we gave up too many prospects) Halladay? Yes. But that's not happening.

Why is everyone so willing to give up our best four or five prospects (together or individually) for a 32 year old pitcher. Yes, I know it's Halladay and he's a great pitcher, but Bard is looking like a great future closer/reliever, Buchholz is beyond prospect status, Anderson is our future first baseman (or at least solid insurance if we don't find a better alternative). The only one seemingly worth trading is Bowden, who is pitching well, but not spectacularly for the PawSox right now. All of this is aside from the fact that Toronto would probably not take a straight Bowden for Halladay trade and the fact that we do not need more starting pitching. Would it be nice if Toronto gifted us (and it would be a gift unless we gave up too many prospects) Halladay? Yes. But that's not happening.

Trade Dice-K, Delcarmen, Lars, and Masterson. We should have the upper hand in negotiations. The minute the Jays try to call the shots we should pull the offer off the table.

Trade Dice-K, Delcarmen, Lars, and Masterson. We should have the upper hand in negotiations. The minute the Jays try to call the shots we should pull the offer off the table.

This multitude of graphs sure would be easier on the eyeballs if the Yes were always Red and the No were always Blue.

Halladay is too old to be attractive enough to be the centerpiece in a blockbuster trade. I don't think too many GMs are willing to bet the farm that he has 4 or 5 years of Cy Young Award candidacy left in the tank. This is just JP Ricciardi going fishing to see what offers, if any, he can catch.

Sarcasmajor. Hilarious.

If the Red Sox get Halladay, they would be the favorites to win the World Series this year and next with a top 3 of Beckett, Halladay, and Lester (in no particular order.) In fact, they WOULD WIN the World Series both years with those 3 guys (assuming health.) I think you do it...and I think JP would be stoopid to trade him to the Red Sox are Yankees regardless of who he gets back.

Players that should be untouchable: Kelly, Buchholz, Westmoreland, Reddick.

I say no on all counts. We don't need Halladay. We're fine without him. If anything, we need a bat/utility infielder. I can't ever imagine Theo being so stupid as to give up Clay and/or Bowden for Halladay.
Right now, I'm thinking a one-for-one trade of someone in our bullpen (Saito, MDC, or Masterson) for a bat.

Do whatever it takes to get Halladay here. The payoff is too great - with Halladay in the rotation they could conceivably win 3 to 4 World Series over the next 5 years (that's if they sign him to a long-term contract) and it would give the Sox time to reload the Farm System. Go for it Theo, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

If you think Theo has any chance of getting Roy, you're crazier than Michael Jackson! Toronto would NEVER deal a guy like that within the division. Not happening!

You deal Great Players OUT of the Division - and even better- the League, ala Manny to Hollyweird. You get the best back and hope and pray never to have to face the traded player ever again. It's baseball 101

Would Boston send say, Lester to the Bronx? Would Cashman deal CC Sabathia to Boston??

And STOP making EVERYTHING about the YANKEES!

I would trade the entire franchise, even up, for the Toronto franchise. Then we would get all the young Blue Jay stars and they could have the rotting corpse of a once good franchise.

For PROVEN talent...no one is untouchable.

Sox already have the best staff in baseball, the only needs are, possibly a bat, but where does he play? Longterm a catcher is our biggest need, save the top prospects to secure one.

We need to NOT become the Yankees, go after EVERY top players out there. look where its gotten them!!!

If this gets it done: "Buchholz, Bowden, Delcarmen, Chris Carter, Ryan Kalish"

DO IT!

Halladay always becomes injured half way thru the season. TradeLugo for him!

Unless Boston is getting Albert Pujols in return, there is no way they should part with four or five prospects that have major league experience (all but Lars Anderson). Buchholz, Bard, Bowden and--most likely--Anderson are the future of the Red Sox. Furthermore, pitching is the 2009 team's greatest strength, and that was Theo's intent. I would only part with those four for 3 players: Pujols, Joe Mauer, and Hanley Ramirez. And I don't see the Cardinals, the Twins, or the Marlins jumping at the chance to trade their best players to fit the Bosox's needs.

I would not be willing to give up Buchholz in any deal for Halladay. Sure Halladay is a great pitcher, but he is getting old and we only would be guaranteed his services for a season and a half.

Buchholz has the ability to become a great pitcher for Boston for years to come. In his very brief major league career he already has more no hitters then Halladay, so we know he has the stuff to be just as good.

If Boston feels we need another starter in Boston, Look to Pawtuckett for the answer, not north of the border.

Any deal for Halladay will revolve around Buchholz. If Buch isn't included, then the Blue Jays wouldn't do it (Unless it's something absurd like Lars, Bowden, Bard, and Casey Kelly). The most reasonable deal is Buch, Bowden, and Delcarmen/Bard. But the Red Sox could still latch on to either Bard or Delcarmen if they give up two other prospects such as Kalish/Reddick and Nick Hagadone. The price for Halladay is too steep but if it comes down to Buch, Bowden, and Bard/Delcarmen I would do it immediately because the Sox will still have an extremely deep farm system of pitching with prospects such as Casey Kelly, Junichi Tazawa, Felix Doubront, and Stolmy Pimental.

My vote is Brookline, Deval Patrick and a fine low-cost dining establishment along with whatever short-stop isn't performing. Plus we could add in a few screaming, vein popping fans who go into a deep depression when the Sox lose a game in May.

Poorly written question. Toronto is not going to release Halladay for only one or 2 players. It would take at least three (3) including Buckholtz.

No one player should have the "untouchable" tag put on them. But, no team, including the Red Sox, should strip their farm system for one 32 year old pitcher.

Do not give up Bard. Period. Everyone else is expendable.

take all those alternatives and get a premier hitter and/or SS

"Buchholz, Bowden, Delcarmen, Chris Carter, Ryan Kalish. Move Penny to the bullpen or trade him, and give Bard Delcarmen's role."

I like it. But trade Penny for a back up corner infielder because even if Lowell comes back healthy, it would be a great to have some insurance at third. They better not give up Bard. He's our closer of the future. Let Papelbon go once Bard is ready. I'm sick of watching Papelbon load the bases every inning he pitches.

The results of the poll doesn't make any sense. More people would rather give any five prospects (7.8%) than any four prospects (4.2%).

Isn't there any real news, that you guys have to stir the pot with silly trade rumors?

There is no sense in getting Halladay at all our pitching staff is fine and we got good pitchers waiting in the minor leagues. We got a good thing going both in the majors and in the minors no need to spoil it for a pitcher who i feel gets injured at some point every season. Sure he is great when he pitches but we are fine do not ruin our future Theo.

No one is untouchable, it just depends on the package put together. Halladay (plus an extension) is worth top level major league ready prospects. The Sox are in good position for two reasons...1 - they ahve the type of players being looked for (Buchholz, Bowden, Delcarmen, Anderson, etc...) and 2 - they have potential replacements for those guys deeper in the system too (Casey Kelley, Reddick, Hagadone, Kalish). So they can give up ready prospects, have years of a strong rotation (Beckett, Halladay, Lester as a big three) and still be ready to replace them if necessary in a few years. That being said, I'd still rather move fewer prospects and get a big bat instead.

There is a tendency to over-value prospects and under-value the players we see everyday because we "know" who they are but are intrigued not only by the minor league players we rarely (if ever see). We daydream about what they COULD be, and also (sometimes) fall in to the trap of overrating a guy's #'s against inferior minor league talent.

This is not to say that the Red Sox should (or would even have the "chips" to) make a deal for Halladay. However, part of the reason why you spend so much time building up your farm system is to get that RARE chance to get a PROVEN Top 5 pitcher in all of MLB who is still pitching in his PRIME.

Would I be willing to part with Bucholz or Bard for MOST players in the MLB even many of this year's All Stars? No. They are prospects with electric stuff BUT so was Craig Hansen and Tony Armas Jr. But Halladay is NOT just "any-old All Star." He is a Cy Young winner (even Beckett hasn't won one) and could even legitimately be a HOF'er someday. And he is STILL pitching at the top of his game.

Now sometimes when you make a big move, gosh forbid BOTH teams benefit; Hanley Ramirez for Josh Beckett AND Mike Lowell. (One ring and maybe more later; should we regret that trade?).

In an ideal (Red Sox) world, all the GM's would be completely gullible and give up talent like Halladay or Beckett for Saito and Chris Carter (for example) but like the Celtics with KG (another ring BTW) they had to give up a young stud (Al Jefferson) and some other good young depth. But like Red Sox management, Danny Ainge did an excellent job through the years of stockpiling intriguing young talent that a team who was looking to the future would be willing to gamble on by trading their star of today.

With all that being said, NO one in the farm system would be untradeable for Halladay. I would even be willing to offer, at least, Bucholz, Bard AND one other front-line prospect (especially if I believe the Yankees are seriously closing in).

Think about this for a moment. We could STILL have the best bullpen in the MLB (or at least, right up there) AND a starting rotation of Josh Beckett, Roy Halladay, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield, Brad Penny (and then move John Smoltz to the bullpen OR trade Penny for a decent 3B, to give us "insurance" in case Mike Lowell breaks down again.) And this is assuming that Dice-K, doesn't even come back this year (which I am assuming).

The risk of NOT making this trade is you could be facing a Yankees rotation down the stretch that NOW would have CC Sabathia, Roy Halladay and AJ Burnett to go with a potent offense. As well as they've playing lately without Halladay, I don't like that prospect.

Final thought: we are getting spoiled here in Red Sox Nation when we are willing to give up on a year (or three) where we would have EXCELLENT chances of WINNING THE WORLD SERIES but we're getting so neurotic about what might happen in 2012 when Halladay gets older and Bucholz and Bard MIGHT become all-stars THEN. To paraphrase Rick Pitino in reverse, "Look folks, Larry Andersen is not walking through that door anytime soon and if he did he might look a lot like ROY HALLADAY..."

Halladay would obviously be a good addition, but he'll tie up a lot of salary as he heads into an age range where he could be subject to more health problems. I do not see the Sox surrendering the salary and age advantage of their best young pitching talent, like Bard, Bucholz, or Bowden. It's not Theo's philosophy/MO. So that makes the deal very unlikely. The Jays would probably be less inclined to send Hallady to a division rival. I expect they'll trade him out of the division and only if bowled over which means a team like St. Louis where he could be the difference between playofs or not.

The BoSox shouldn't go after Halladay, and I'd be jaw droppingly shocked if they did. Both Bowden and Buchholz are solid top of the rotation guys in the future. We don't need him to win this year. We're doing fine with more pitchers waiting in the wings. That being said, no one is untouchable. I'd throw any 5 guys from the system out for a bat like Pujols. For Halladay... maybe Bard or Anderson Plus Buchholz or Bowden.

How is it possible that more people voted 'Yes' on the "any five prospects" question than on the "any four prospects" question?

Who are you people?

BTW, I don't think you trade Buchholz for Halladay. Buchholz has a bigger upside and we already have two aces that give us what Halladay would bring. Bowden and Anderson are trade bait. Mix them in with some combination of desirable candidates and see if the Jays bite.

I think if the Sox need to address an issue it is the need for more power ...pitching is so thin all across MLB that if you're going to deal one of your best prospects deal him to address a specific need...and right now I would make acquiring a proven hitter the priority

BUchholz gets dealt for NO ONE! He is going to win MULTIPLE Cy Young's. He is point blank - UNTOUCHABLE.

lol at sarcasmajor....... i'm guessing that is one of the most sarcastic posts you have done. If you don't know Roy Halladay then you don't know baseball... Halladay is THE best pitcher in all of baseball consistently year in and year out.

What must be remembered is that Halladay will be a 1 1/2-year rental. What do you do then? Sign a 33-year-old to a huge 6-year contract? Let him go? Let Beckett walk so you can afford him? You'll have traded away most of your options.

I would go:
1. Buchholz (sell high)
2. Another top prospect (Bard, Bowden, Anderson, etc).
3. Saito (or Delcarmen or RamRam)
4. As many lesser prospects as they want (Bailey, Carter, etc).

Then flip Penny for a solid reliever to take Saito's place in the pen.

Another option is to replace 2 and 3 w/ Papelbon.

After thinking about it, why give up any of them. The whole player devolopment thing we are doing is working. We are set up to be a top 3 team for years to come.

With Lester and Beckett we can go up against anybody elses top 2 and come out on top.

@ sarcasmajor.... you obviously just wrote your most sarcastic paragraph yet! Halladay is THE best pitcher year in year out for consistency, workhorse ethic, and pitching complete games.
Once again... I got the sarcasm... very nice.

There is NO way he will be traded within the division, I don't care how far the Jays are OUT of contention, or how many years he has left

Lars Anderson has to be the one guy who is untouchable in the Red Sox farm system. In fact, right now the sox are putting a lot of faith in the kid, maybe too much. But, for example, lets say you trade Anderson (not just for Halladay but anyone) than the sox are going to have a bit of a problem in free agency. They will have to sign at least 2 guys that can hit for home runs ( i think they still realize that Ortiz-Manny was a big part of first 2 WS wins). So after you sign these guys, you are only going to give up more draft picks and deplete your farm system more. As for the pitching side of the diamond, you actually can have too much pitching, but the only guy that is feeling the negative side of that is buchholz. There is a logjam right now when Clay is obviously mlb calibur. I think he needs to be moved or guaranteeed a spot on the starting rotation tlate this year or next.

One of EITHER Buckholtz OR Bowden
One of EITHER Masterson or Ramirez (willing to include Bard if Buckholz is not)
2 other prospects

Buckholz, Bowden, Bard, and Anderson would be insane.
Good point on Tazawa by Ryan

Hallday is good, but at 32 we wouldn't get the years out of him that we will for Bowden or Buchholz. Besides, isn't the problem that we have too many pitchers? How about another Alex Cora-esque utilityman? Or, if we really want to dump some prospects (which I don't know why we would), how about Hanley Ramirez?

I really hope number 9 was a joke...you just described roy halladay perfectly. he's the definition of ace right now. the days he pitches relief staff views as close to a day off cause this guy can go 9 strong innings at will. but come on we can't give away good prospects for a 32 year old that can lock down a game once every 5 days. we need a bat and would should have looked at the other halladay in the league more in the begining of the year. are pitching is the best in the league minus one spot... come on our number 5 pitcher is almost keeping up with sabathia and burnett and our relief has struggled recently but everyone hits a rough patch...we need a BAT! and that it!

Bucholtz, Bard, and Masterson are untouchables, as are Anderson and Kelly. If you can package a combination excludind these kids then go for it, but I don't think the Jays would be that foolish.

"because Aaron Bates didn't do very well in his call up and hes getting up there in age. "

That's a bad way to judge a player. Hanley was 0/4 or so in a Boston uniform. And Bates was 0/5 with a walk. Not saying he'll end up as good as Hanley, just saying don't judge someone on that small of a sample size.

Anyways, while the thought of a rotation of Roy-Beckett-Lester-Wake-Penny/Smoltz makes me drool, I think there's a few things wrong:

1. It's not worth the price. We will have to pay more than other teams since he is in our division. Figure a STARTING point would be Clay+Lars+Kelly (our top 3 specs). No thanks. Remember the rumors for Johan? Lester+Ells+Bowden+Lowrie. Aren't you glad we didn't make that trade now?
2. Jays won't trade arguably the best pitcher in baseball to a division rival.

I think it would be crazy to give up on buchholz or bowden to pick-up halladay. I'm sure the only way that a deal for halladay would fall through for the sox, would be including bowden or buchholz and i dont believe that would be a wise move for the sox at all.

While halladay may be one of the 3 best pitchers in the mlb right now, he is at his "ceiling". meaning, he can only go down from here. even thought he is only 32 yrs old, it is unlikely he will be able to pitch at this high level for much longer. dont give up players with ace potential!

Now's the time to add Papelbon to the mix.

Maybe Papelbon, Bowden & Kalish?

"I dont know Halladay but all I have to say is this guy better be good."

Wow. Bluntly speaking, if you don't know Roy Halladay, you probably have no business commenting on any kind of baseball blog.

Halladay is a stud. No individual "prospect" can be considered "worth" a proven commodity. It is ridiculous to suggest that you wouldn't trade any Red Sox prospect straight up for Halladay (not that it would get the job done). In a perfect world, any one of Buchholz, Bowden or Bard could end up as a superstar pitcher -- but let's be honest -- none of them are (yet). Halladay is. And not just a one-year wonder or anything like that. Since 2002 when he became a full-time starter for the Jays, his stats are hardly pedestrian: 123-51, ERA of 3.19, 1156Ks. And this year he's only 10-2, 2.90 ERA, 104Ks.
The Pedro trade was also for a player that had 1 year left on his contract. Halladay will be ours for at least 1.5 years. Not to mention that a contract extension is a likely part of Halladay waiving his no-trade clause.
Dice-K won't be waving his, so don't expect that to be part of a trade. Not to mention that the Jays would likely want to reduce payroll, and though Dice-K makes less, his nearly $9M isn't enough less for the Jays to be interested.
I would gladly trade two of Bard, Bowden and Buchholz (keep one young pitcher) and if Toronto was really hot on pitching, I'd be willing to toss in Price or Huntzinger (Single A pitchers) and Hunter Jones (LH AA All-star reliever). Word is Toronto wants a SS since theirs is a free-agent after next year. I'm willing to lose Jed Lowrie too (though I like him, the sacrifice would be OK, I'm happy with Green this year, maybe next, and Diaz/Velazquez as prospects there)
Halladay is a perrenial Cy Young pitcher and immediately strengthens our rotation for TWO seasons (and likely more).
Ask yourself, what would you prefer? Beckett, Halladay, Lester, Wakefield as your starting 4 in the playoffs with Buchholz, Bowden, Anderson and others watching on TV when their AAA seasons end. Or do you want the youthful "potential"?
I'd gladly trade Buchholz, Bowden, Lowrie, Jones and another single A or AA prospect for Halladay.
Part of the good of prospects is to be able to turn them into REAL ESTABLISHED players! Buchholz's potential is great, but Halladay's REALITY is better!

I really dont see the Yankees as threats right now. They have no one outstanding enough in their minor system. They'd have to start with Joba and Hughes, the latter not THAT impressive. JP Riccardi is doing the smart thing by saying he'll entertain NYY and BOS offers to drive up the price for other teams. And it wouldnt be smart business for NYY or BOS to play the bidding game as it'll only help Toronto.

When Roy Halladay is a free agent after 2010, THEN you should worry about the Yankees. But Roy will also be nearing 34 - might be better to keep the prospects.

You guys are all nuts. There is no way the Jays would do any of those deals. They'd at least want Buchholz, Bard and Kelly with more especially if the report about the Cards letting them take any 5 players in the minors is true. While the Cards don't have a system as deep as the Sox, you can still get some quality talent. I'm fine with moving Bard, even for a bat. He might throw a 97 MPH fastball, but any major leaguer can catch up to the fastball.Plus Bard hasn't really developed an out pitch. His stock will never be higher than it is right now.

Who are the people posting that do not recognize Halladay? Do you watch baseball, in particular AL East games? He has been the most dominant starter the past 5 season in the AL East. And perhaps all of the AL, and MLB, too.

SJC: you're right that Halladay would, quite likely, be a dominant force on this Red Sox team. However, his contract becomes an issue for a few reasons: 1) he'll command something like 5 years at 14-16 million per year (baseline); 2) Beckett's contract is up at the same time (after 2010 season), and he, too, will require the same type of deal as Halladay; 3) Jason Bay, or some alternative run producer, must be signed after this season, which will likely cost the Red Sox something like 4/5 years at 12-14 million per year.

The Red Sox have amassed such pitching depth at both the major and minor league level that they really do not need to do this deal. Halladay is a nice-to-have, but is so prohibitive in terms of cost and its organizational philiosophy, that I cannot see a deal being consumated by Ricciardi and Epstein. Not to mention Halladay has been such an innings eater over the years and will be entering the period of time when pitchers begin to show signs of deterioration, that I do not feel the cost of doing business is worth trying to make a trade happen.

I always said I want Halladay to be on a team that competes, but what I really meant was I want him on the Sox. The great thing about him was when he was in Toronto he wasn't to much to worry about and after next year he would be a free agent, but if he get traded he may sign a long term deal and change the whole outlook of the playoffs. Keep Buchholz trade the rest of the Paw Sox and i'm fine.

Wow JamesD...you didn't read the name of the #9 poster did you? It's funny to see so many people getting worked up about this. The Yankees don't have the prospects, the Red Sox do but they won't be willing to part with them, and the Jays won't deal him in the AL East. If the article is true that the Cards will give the Jays their pick of the litter, then Doc will end up going to a team willing to make such a sacrifice.

i would trade papelbon one for one for halladay

Jon Lester is the only untouchable in the red sox organization right now... though I wouldn't trade any of the everyday players as part of this deal... Bard is at the top of the list of untouchables among the players mentioned... I'll drive Bowden to Toronto myself if he's part of the deal.

Penny and Smoltz are 1 yr rentals, Wakefield may retire after this season and who knows abt Dice-K. Masterson, Bard, Buckholz and Bowden are the nucleus of the Sox pitching staff for yrs to come. The Sox need to acquire a big bat not an aging pitcher whose best yrs may be behind him.

Scott L- Bucholz is going to win multiple Cy Young awards??? Since 1990, 6 players have won multiple Cy Young awards: Pedro Martinez, Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Johan Santana... I'm not ready to put Roy Halladay in that group, never mind Bucholz.....

I hope the Sox don’t go after Halladay. As much as I would love to have him on the team, it’s really pointless. Why would you give up at least 3 of your prospects that you feel would help your franchise for the foreseeable future? Signing Halladay would mean paying him $15+ million a year. Having Buchholz and Bowden costs you $1 million total since both would get the bare minimum to play. If you can’t use that $14 million to go out and find a hitter who can help you, then there is something wrong. Adding a top-notch hitter, like Joe Mauer, or A-Rod or Pujols, or someone who provides you that kind of hitting is just like adding Halladay, without giving up your prospects or paying more money. Having that hitter when Buchholz or Bowden pitches allows them more room for error. Not to mention, allows your aces like Beckett and Lester to be more effective and have more wins. And all those wins will add up to what Halladay would have given you.

No for Any 4 is running ahead of No for Any 5. Huh?

Many of the these posts are just plain dumb. The three or four above mine (Gorilla_suit etc) are finally making sense.

Don't include Bard. We'll need him to be our closer next season after the Sox refuse to break the bank for Papelbon (and his sure to be outrageous asking $).

"Pull the deal off the table..." don't make me laugh. This is Roy Halladay we're talking about and he is the best pitcher in baseball and the most dependable pitcher as well. With no head games, no tantrums, no craziness. This guy is the real deal. And everyone wants him, so if you guys aren't prepared to pay, I wouldn't worry there are plenty who will. That's if Ricciardi deals him within his own division which would be stupid. Nah, Halladay will go to the NL where he won't hurt us when he comes back and where we can cheer wholeheartedly for him. Here's the thing, if you want to get Halladay then no one on your roster is untouchable. Once you start using words like 'untouchable' the Jays front office, if they have any sense, will just put the phone down on you and walk away.

Halladay, for the Sox, would be a luxury item.

More offense is a definite need.

Lowell's status remains uncertain, and even with a healthy and productive Lowell, the 8-9 spots in the lineup are medium-to-large holes.

I'd hate to see them miss the playoffs, or get knocked out early, because they had great pitching but still lost a ton of 2-1, 3-2 and 4-3 decisions.

Get a bat...let someone else overpay for Halladay (and then risk losing him in the winter of 2010-2011).

I'm a Blue Jays fan who hates the Red Sox (yeah, yeah, I know, wrong place to post :-p). I sincerely hope you guys don't trade for Halladay.

'Cause I promise you that if you get him and sign him to an extension, you'll win at least two more World Series trophies guaranteed. Maybe three or four if your bullpen can help Roy out (and my belief is that it would).

I think some teams worry about the future TOO much. For the love of God, you guys are built to win now so why not lock it up?

One of the reasons the Red Sox will continue to be a contender for years to come is because they are building a solid farm system. Giving up to 2 top prospects is enough, after that, let Toronto eat there dust. We have tried buying championships in the past only to fall flat on our faces. Replenish your team with a combo of veterans and farm help. As nice as it would be to get Holliday, he is not worth mortgaging the future.

The power of prospects is to have them contribute at a championship level at rookie prices, then use the MONEY saved to sign the Roy Halliday's when they come into free agency. Trading away your best low priced all star talent and paying the money is the recipe for baseball business failure.

I would'nt chase Halladay.Let's go get Hanley.The Sox are all set in pitching.What we need is a stick and Hanley Ramirez is the bat we need.

Lugo, Delcarmen, Dice-k, and Papelbon for Halladay.

The goal of the Red Sox is to win championships. At the end of the day all that matters is winning a ring. While the three B-boys are budding superstars, there's a slim chance one of them is going to become as DOMINANT as Roy Halladay.

The Red Sox need pitching, not hitting. Instead of worrying about Halliday, see what the Dbacks have to offer in Chad Tracy; Salty as a backup from Texas, Garrett Atkins from the Rockies. They need to settle the difference at short. Lugo goes, Lowrie stays, Green is the utility. Have Lowell and Ortiz alternate at DH, and get a young gun to play third on a regular basis. Tracy is a good bet to do well in the AL. The team to watch in the division is Tampa Bay. The Yankees are here today but gone tomorrow. Tampa Bay continues to get better. The Red Sox have to solidiay their corners. If they put Youk on third, let Lowell bat DH, and Ortiz go back to first. Platoon Kotsay and Bailey there also. My first choice is to trade a group of pitchers-Saito, Declarmen, maybe one other, a starter to get Atkins, Tracy, or another bonafide 3B guy. Lowrie should stick it out at SS. They need a good bat at Third-those mentioned above, Scott Rolen, or move Youk back and concentrate on a Hank Blalock. Lowell is in his last hurrah. That hip will force him to retire. IF he can DH, he might last the season. Theo, give me a call...

let me remind everyone of 2 pawsox untouchables. Casy Fossum and Shea Hillenbrand. These guys could have been traded to get us another arm to help Pedro get us by the yanks in the playoffs but we passed and these 2 aren't even in baseball anymore. With the exception of Clay, not one of these prospects listed has the ability of a staff ace or even a second starter.

I say if you have the chance at Roy you take it and live with the fact that any of the prospects listed will never be the ace that Roy is and will be for the next 3-4 years. You can get bullpen arms everywhere you cannot find aces anywhere.

I think the best thing to do is a three team trade...Philles, Red Sox, and Blue Jays...Red Sox send Penny and cash to the Philles for 2 prospects, 1 of which is shortstop ready, then trade both of those prospects along with Bucholtz, Delcarmen, and someone in AA (not Lars Anderson) to the Blue Jays for Halladay...

this isn't a crazy deal because it gives the Phillies what they need...a #3 pitcher without emptying out their farm system and they don't take on $25mil worth of contracts...and it's only a 1/2 year commitment as they get their own pitchers back next year PLUS they could resign Penny if need be...

this helps out with the Blue Jays because they get what they wanted...5 prospects, 2 of them major league ready pitchers and a major league ready shortstop as well as 2 other prospects for 2-3 years down the road...and financial flexibility to spend in the offseason...

this helps out the Red Sox because they get Halladay for his last year and a half before he hits the 35 year old decline stage for starting pitchers (see Pedro, Schilling, Mussina, etc) and the Red Sox only have to give up Delcarmen and Bucholtz while keeping Masterson, Bard, Bowden, and Anderson. This also gives the Red Sox insurance should Beckett decide to walk after 2010 (both are FAs at that time)...should Beckett sign elsewhere the Sox can resign Halladay...and vice versa...and the Red Sox playoff rotation would be (Halladay-Beckett-Lester-Wakefield) with Smoltz as long relief/ER starter...that is scary! 3 runs a game is all the offense needs to win...

If the Phillies want something else as well throw in Lugo and agree to help pay his contract as well...

but honestly...whoever is Halladay's agent should be fired...why would you wait for your star signee to turn 35 to earn his last big contact??? Wouldn't have been best at age say 33??? We see how that turned out for Veritek...and the best way for the Red Sox to go in 2010 is to offer Halladay and Beckett arbitration therefore if they sign anywhere, they get 2 first round picks...something a lot of teams are reluctent to do anymore.

Roy Halladay is the best pitcher in baseball bar none, pitches in the AL and pitches in the TOUGHEST division in baseball. He has always OWNED both the Red Sox and Yankees at their best. And even though he is 32 this guy is a fitness freak and in an increadable shape. He will be dominating well into his 30's.
Oh yeah, did I also mention he is the winningest pitcher in baseball for the last 7 years combined dispite playing for a team like the Blue Jays? He is by far the most durable pitcher in baseball also and a work horse. If you got Halladay out there your relive pitchers might as well have the day off. The importance of this only goes up come playoff time.
Get this guy ASAP, he would be the staff ace on any team out there in baseball. Prospects, even the best of them aren’t a sure bet to turn out. Halladay is as a proven elite pitcher and DURABLE pitcher as to have come around in a long long time. Also this is one of the legit guys I think still has a shot at 300 victories despite at 32.
Do whatever it takes. One thing is for sure, if the Yankees get him they will win AL and world series. If the Phillies get him they will rebeat.

Cardinals would be idiots not to make a run for Halladay. If you got the games best player and hitter in Pujols go for winning another WS.

Red Sox, don't even think about it...Pitching is not what is needed...Somewhere, with all the great prospects the Sox have, there is a younger Halladay. When we got Beckett, he was 25, quite a difference than a 32 yr. old....Look at our ball club, we need to think about replacing Lowell, Veritek and Big Papi one of these days and hope Lowrie is our S.S. of the future...Theo, please don't mess with a 32 yr. old pitcher who could break down at anytime...the Yanks got C.C. and Burnett and we still have a better team.....

here's a thought-

Halladay has NEVER pitched in the postseason. Sure, he looks great during the regular season...but so does Sabathia, and once October rolls around he's a bust. Projecting a team as a pennant lock because they acquire Halladay is foolish.

Get Victor Martinez. It will get done with fewer prospects and add a premier bat with some position versatility to the lineup.

I think Bard and Buchholtz together is untouchable, you can't lose both of those guys. Buchholtz is probably the better trade prospect because he's had major league experience (he threw a freaking no-hitter), and Bard is still in development. But in the long run, i like Bard over Buchholtz, so I'd be more liking to a Buch trade.

That being said, I think it's too far fetched for the Sox to go after Halladay, and I don't think the Yanks have the means to (but then again, they have the means to do what they want). I think he goes out west somewhere.

I think the sox need to focus on getting Hanley Ramirez back

We can't let Halladay go to the Yankees. If Halladay goes to the Yankees the season is over and Yankees are by far the more dominate team

Trade Buchholtz and Delcarmen for Halladay but dont go to extremes. If we dont get him thats okay as long as we dont start making rediculous offers like some of you guys are saying Papelbon or someone big like that. The Sox arent stupid enough to do that. I think going after a good hitting shortstop would be great!