Sigh.
There are certain things I’d hoped never to say. Chiefest among them, perhaps, is this: the Blue Jays should trade Roy Halladay.
And yet, it’s true. It turns my stomach, but it’s true. Doc has meant more to this team and its fans over the past decade than I can adequately explain. He’s been its alpha and omega - consummate professional, perennial Cy Young candidate, the still-beating heart of a listless, moribund franchise. Few things would make me happier than seeing him sign a monster extension that would keep him in Toronto for the rest of his career.
But, Doc’s ticket out of town seems to have already been punched. Trade or no trade, JP has made comments suggesting that the Jays won’t be able to extend Halladay after his contract expires at the end of 2010. The Jays aren’t contending this year, nor will they next year, and with the Orioles promising to become last year’s Rays by 2012, the time has come to fold and reshuffle the deck.
Doc’s trade value will never be higher than it is right now. The team getting him will have him under control for one-and-a-half seasons, and two playoff runs. Extolling his virtues here would be preaching to the choir, so I’ll spare you the effulgence and simply ask you to think back on what C.C. did for the Brewers last year. If you want to talk about the transformative effect Halladay could have on a team’s playoff chances, I think Sabathia’s run with Milwaukee is the tip of the iceberg. Imagine the world-destroying power of a Hamels-Halladay, or Gallardo-Halladay, or (deep breath) Lincecum-Halladay duo in a playoff series. Any one of those pairings would hang with Koufax-Drysdale, Maddux-Glavine, or Spahn-Sain in the pantheon of fearsome one-twos. Having Doc for the playoffs this year as well as next drives his value way, way up. If he’s going to be moved, it should be before July 31.
Now: how to do it.
There are few teams with farm systems robust enough to take a run at Doc. I see the Red Sox, Rays, Rangers, Dodgers, Phillies, and Braves as the only ones who have the pieces. I’m ruling out the Red Sox and Rays immediately – there’s no way he’s traded within the division. The Rangers are borrowing money from the MLB this year, so I doubt they’d be able to take on his contract. That leaves the Dodgers, the Phillies, and the Braves. If Halladay goes, it’s essential that we get a starter that has ace potential and is under team control for several years coming back. The Braves have that in Tommy Hanson, but are unlikely to make the playoffs this year, with or without Doc, making them an unlikely partner. They’re off the list.
That leaves the Phillies and the Dodgers. The Phils are reportedly Doc’s most aggressive suitor, and have the parts to put together an attractive package. For me, though, it comes down to the pitching. The Phillies have Kyle Drabek, a highly-touted prospect who’s been tearing it up this year after missing time with Tommy John surgery. Drabek could be a front-of-the-rotation starter, it’s true. He’s cleaned up his delivery, and has come back from TJ as well as anyone could have expected. But, the fact remains, he’s twenty-one and he’s already blown his elbow out, and, according to Keith Law, has “make-up issues dating back to high school.” Pass.
That leaves the Dodgers. If I’m Ricciardi, I’m approaching them with two different packages. The first starts with Clayton Kershaw. The Jays need to get an ace back, and Kershaw’s that kind of special talent. He’s always had the stuff, as illustrated by a heater that touches 96 and a curveball that is, in the parlance of our times, straight filth. His mechanics are clean as a whistle. And this year, he’s putting it all together. I’m not going to regurgitate numbers here, but I urge you to check out Kershaw’s recent lines. The kid’s got the goods, and should be a prerequisite for any deal that sends Doc to LA. I’d also be looking for 1B James Loney and SS Devaris Gordon.
The second package, which is of the “major-reach-but-what-the-hell-can’t-hurt-to-ask” variety, starts with Vernon Wells. Just like I don’t need to tell you how good Doc is, I also don’t need to get into how badly Wells’ contract is going to hurt the Jays over the next few years. The Dodgers have the payroll to take on that contract. If they’d do it, you’d have to consider giving up Halladay for less than he’s really worth. In this scenario, I’d be asking for Matt Kemp and more. RHP James McDonald, SS Ivan DeJesus, and RHP Josh Lindblom are all intriguing prospects.
A trade sending Doc to the Dodgers would make sense for the both teams. LA has the young, controllable players Toronto needs to build a team that can compete in the AL East. Toronto has the player that can make the Dodgers a World Series winner, this year and next.
On a personal level, I just hope that, one way or another, this situation is resolved soon. The tension is killing me. You know that feeling you get when you pretty sure your significant other is about to break up with you, and every time they open their mouth you’re expecting a “we need to talk?” That’s how I’ve felt for, like, a week. Except that I can’t imagine ever loving a woman the way I love Roy Halladay.
Recommended reading:
Schopenhauer, On Suicide
And yet, it’s true. It turns my stomach, but it’s true. Doc has meant more to this team and its fans over the past decade than I can adequately explain. He’s been its alpha and omega - consummate professional, perennial Cy Young candidate, the still-beating heart of a listless, moribund franchise. Few things would make me happier than seeing him sign a monster extension that would keep him in Toronto for the rest of his career.
But, Doc’s ticket out of town seems to have already been punched. Trade or no trade, JP has made comments suggesting that the Jays won’t be able to extend Halladay after his contract expires at the end of 2010. The Jays aren’t contending this year, nor will they next year, and with the Orioles promising to become last year’s Rays by 2012, the time has come to fold and reshuffle the deck.
Doc’s trade value will never be higher than it is right now. The team getting him will have him under control for one-and-a-half seasons, and two playoff runs. Extolling his virtues here would be preaching to the choir, so I’ll spare you the effulgence and simply ask you to think back on what C.C. did for the Brewers last year. If you want to talk about the transformative effect Halladay could have on a team’s playoff chances, I think Sabathia’s run with Milwaukee is the tip of the iceberg. Imagine the world-destroying power of a Hamels-Halladay, or Gallardo-Halladay, or (deep breath) Lincecum-Halladay duo in a playoff series. Any one of those pairings would hang with Koufax-Drysdale, Maddux-Glavine, or Spahn-Sain in the pantheon of fearsome one-twos. Having Doc for the playoffs this year as well as next drives his value way, way up. If he’s going to be moved, it should be before July 31.
Now: how to do it.
There are few teams with farm systems robust enough to take a run at Doc. I see the Red Sox, Rays, Rangers, Dodgers, Phillies, and Braves as the only ones who have the pieces. I’m ruling out the Red Sox and Rays immediately – there’s no way he’s traded within the division. The Rangers are borrowing money from the MLB this year, so I doubt they’d be able to take on his contract. That leaves the Dodgers, the Phillies, and the Braves. If Halladay goes, it’s essential that we get a starter that has ace potential and is under team control for several years coming back. The Braves have that in Tommy Hanson, but are unlikely to make the playoffs this year, with or without Doc, making them an unlikely partner. They’re off the list.
That leaves the Phillies and the Dodgers. The Phils are reportedly Doc’s most aggressive suitor, and have the parts to put together an attractive package. For me, though, it comes down to the pitching. The Phillies have Kyle Drabek, a highly-touted prospect who’s been tearing it up this year after missing time with Tommy John surgery. Drabek could be a front-of-the-rotation starter, it’s true. He’s cleaned up his delivery, and has come back from TJ as well as anyone could have expected. But, the fact remains, he’s twenty-one and he’s already blown his elbow out, and, according to Keith Law, has “make-up issues dating back to high school.” Pass.
That leaves the Dodgers. If I’m Ricciardi, I’m approaching them with two different packages. The first starts with Clayton Kershaw. The Jays need to get an ace back, and Kershaw’s that kind of special talent. He’s always had the stuff, as illustrated by a heater that touches 96 and a curveball that is, in the parlance of our times, straight filth. His mechanics are clean as a whistle. And this year, he’s putting it all together. I’m not going to regurgitate numbers here, but I urge you to check out Kershaw’s recent lines. The kid’s got the goods, and should be a prerequisite for any deal that sends Doc to LA. I’d also be looking for 1B James Loney and SS Devaris Gordon.
The second package, which is of the “major-reach-but-what-the-hell-can’t-hurt-to-ask” variety, starts with Vernon Wells. Just like I don’t need to tell you how good Doc is, I also don’t need to get into how badly Wells’ contract is going to hurt the Jays over the next few years. The Dodgers have the payroll to take on that contract. If they’d do it, you’d have to consider giving up Halladay for less than he’s really worth. In this scenario, I’d be asking for Matt Kemp and more. RHP James McDonald, SS Ivan DeJesus, and RHP Josh Lindblom are all intriguing prospects.
A trade sending Doc to the Dodgers would make sense for the both teams. LA has the young, controllable players Toronto needs to build a team that can compete in the AL East. Toronto has the player that can make the Dodgers a World Series winner, this year and next.
On a personal level, I just hope that, one way or another, this situation is resolved soon. The tension is killing me. You know that feeling you get when you pretty sure your significant other is about to break up with you, and every time they open their mouth you’re expecting a “we need to talk?” That’s how I’ve felt for, like, a week. Except that I can’t imagine ever loving a woman the way I love Roy Halladay.
Recommended reading:
Schopenhauer, On Suicide
posted by Adam Wray at
12:42 AM
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