So JP Riccardi, manager-extraordinaire of the Toronto Bluejays, has stated that he is willing to listen to trade offers for the best pitcher in baseball. This is a situation that is similar to the CC Sabathia in Cleveland or Johan Santana in Minnesota ordeals where they knew they couldn't keep their guys. Halladay's 3 year 40 million $ contract runs out after this season and because Toronto has been unable to build a winner Halladay is almost a lock to walk away this winter. So Toronto is forced to either trade away their Ace or wait and get nothing. Rumored front runner? The Phillies! Snap! They have been agressive about searching for front-line type pitching and this could be their opportunity. But I expect that the Sox, Yanks, Mets, etc. could hardly let such a big fish go without at least getting in the water. Doc Halladay will of course dictate the outcome of this potential trade as he has one of those oh so convenient no-trade clauses."Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."
They wont get nothing if the don't trade him. They'll get the team that signs him's first round pick and a sandwich pick (in between first and second round). So it seems that GMs these days are using that as leverage saying that they dont have to sign impending free agents. They figure that they are going to get two of the top 40ish players in the next draft, which is actually a decent return. So any trade would have to return at least 3 top prospects to beat the draft pick compensation. Of course in a trade situation they could also control where he goes and be able to steer him away from division rivals.
ReplyDeleteAn example of letting a player walk and taking the picks was when the Red Sox let Pedro walk as a free agent. They then used the two compensatory picks to draft Jacoby Ellsbury and Clay Bucholz, which looks like a steal now considering Pedro didn't do much after he left.
I think that Doc Halladay and Cole Hamels in the same rotation is trouble for anybody in a series against the Phils. Hamels, though he won the '08 WS MVP, is only 25, and I don't think he would mind playing second fiddle to the of 32 year-old Halladay. Plus, Hamels just six months ago signed a 3-year $21M deal with the Phils. I'll say this--if the Phillies pick up Roy Halladay, I think they'll win another title in the next 3 years.
ReplyDeleteoh snap! compensatory picks, good point
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