Re: Roy Halladay on the block?
Boston won't part with its pitching prospects anyways. The organization has made a decision to keep young pitching and trading for a starter on the wrong side of 30 doesn't fit that business model. I'm not saying that is the right way to treat their assets, just the the reality of the situation. And there's just no way in Hell Toronto trades within the division.
On one hand it is absurd for any organization to trade perhaps the best starting pitcher in the league, but on the other hand: Halladay is 32 years old, his value is at its peak, Toronto likely cannot afford an extension due to a series of bad contracts (unless Halladay is willing to give the team a significant discount, which in this case I think is still a possibility), and Toronto probably isn't a realistic bet to win next year. Still, I think if a deal is done it will be done in December, not July. That way the Jays can better evaluate where the organization is both financially and how likely a good season is in 2010. If Romero looks like a sure thing instead of a one year wonder (a-la Gustavo Chacin) and McGowan and Marcum look primed to contribute in 2010, perhaps the Jays think with Halladay at the top of the rotation it can win in 2010 and take some draft picks when he departs. Or the team could have a good season, narrowly miss the Playoffs, but is able to convince Halladay it will compete every year going forward and he re-signs.
This just seems like too big of a move to make mid-season. Unless a team comes along and gives Toronto exactly what its looking for (or just agrees to take Vernon Wells) I don't think he gets traded before the end of this month. If anything, this statement by the Blue Jays that it will listen to offers is just a means a assessing what kind of players Halladay could fetch should the Blue Jays decide to part with him this winter.
Boston won't part with its pitching prospects anyways. The organization has made a decision to keep young pitching and trading for a starter on the wrong side of 30 doesn't fit that business model. I'm not saying that is the right way to treat their assets, just the the reality of the situation. And there's just no way in Hell Toronto trades within the division.
On one hand it is absurd for any organization to trade perhaps the best starting pitcher in the league, but on the other hand: Halladay is 32 years old, his value is at its peak, Toronto likely cannot afford an extension due to a series of bad contracts (unless Halladay is willing to give the team a significant discount, which in this case I think is still a possibility), and Toronto probably isn't a realistic bet to win next year. Still, I think if a deal is done it will be done in December, not July. That way the Jays can better evaluate where the organization is both financially and how likely a good season is in 2010. If Romero looks like a sure thing instead of a one year wonder (a-la Gustavo Chacin) and McGowan and Marcum look primed to contribute in 2010, perhaps the Jays think with Halladay at the top of the rotation it can win in 2010 and take some draft picks when he departs. Or the team could have a good season, narrowly miss the Playoffs, but is able to convince Halladay it will compete every year going forward and he re-signs.
This just seems like too big of a move to make mid-season. Unless a team comes along and gives Toronto exactly what its looking for (or just agrees to take Vernon Wells) I don't think he gets traded before the end of this month. If anything, this statement by the Blue Jays that it will listen to offers is just a means a assessing what kind of players Halladay could fetch should the Blue Jays decide to part with him this winter.
Comment