On HALLADAY to YANKEES Rumor...
efreet69
MLB.com (Hot Stove Report):
> "The rich could get a lot richer, according to SI.com's latest report of the Yankees having
> talked to the Blue Jays about the availability of ace Roy Halladay. The article also states
> that new Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos would not rule out making a trade within
> the American League East Division, which means the Red Sox could be in play for another
> round of the storied New York-Boston rivalry."...
That'd be AWESOME. But, we'd need to give up either Joba or Hughes,
plus (at least) Austin Jackson or Jesus Montero to get it done. I'd
be moderately surprised if he's traded during this off-season, since
all the other teams in baseball know they could (potentially) have him
for less at the trade deadline in July (since the Jays really have no
chance of re-signing him and would like to get anything in trade
before they lose him to free agency at the end of 2010.)
Do the Yankees feel -- right now -- that they need to upgrade so much
(all the way to Halladay) that they'd part with the players I
mentioned above? I don't know that they would, especially since they
"need" a #3, or at best/worst, a #2 starter rather than an ace. They
could get that #2/#3 by resigning Pettitte, or going after Lackey.
(Although Lackey will be priced as a #1, and he's a Boras client on
top of that.)
Personally, I think it makes more sense for them to resign Pettitte to
a one-year, and then use the "CC game plan" to go after Halladay as a
free-agent in 2010 (assuming he hasn't been traded & re-contracted
with someone else during 2009.) Essentially, they have the same
decision they had two years ago: They didn't trade big for and re-
contract Johan Santana, instead choosing to wait until CC became a
free agent, knowing the Brewers couldn't resign him. It’s the exact
same thing now, but replace Johan with Lackey, CC with Halladay, and
the Brewers with the Blue Jays. Only difference is, in my opinion,
Lackey isn't even as good as Johan (but he'll be priced as such now.)
In terms of an off-season deal this year, Doc'll probably wind up on
the Red Sox, unless he feels he has a clearly better shot at a title
with the Yankees and likes AJ (which by all accounts he does.) Or
possibly... the Mets although I don't know the state of their minor
league trade-fodder. I *don't* particularly want Lackey. He's been
good, but I don't know if he's AL East good. (BTW, no CHANCE he goes
to the Nationals.)
whatitis
Great post...Montero is not going anywhere IMO....
Do you think maybe AJ,Joba,Romine gets it done..
What it comes down to is Lackey at 20m per year or Doc who is going to
be at the same pay level plus prospects.
I will go Doc all day long.....
whatitis
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> - Show quoted text -
Whoops....AJ as in Austin Jackson!