Red Sox Want Roy Halladay; Yankees Should Drive Up Price But Not Pull Trigger Themselves
Reports coming out of the New York Daily News today suggest the Red Sox are getting ready to throw the house at the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay. An unidentified source told the Daily News the Red Sox are “putting on a full-court press” to acquire Halladay.
Where the Red Sox sniff the Yankees follow. Brian Cashman, Yankees’ GM, will do his due diligence on Halladay if nothing more than to drive up the price for the Red Sox. The price for Halladay will be steep, but as of right now it looks like the Red Sox are willing to go there.
Driving up the price for the Red Sox should be the only reason the Yankees get involved in talks with the Blue Jays. They should not pull the trigger on a trade for Halladay just because the Red Sox want him. Let him go to the Red Sox. The Yankees have been discussing their payroll and adding Halladay would end the discussion of cutting it. Acquiring Halladay would also cost a package of top prospects including at least Austin Jackson, Jesus Montero and either Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain.
Halladay doesn’t fit into the plans the Yankees “say” they want to follow, but what the Yankees say and do don’t always agree. If the Yankees hadn’t won in 2009, it would be very likely they’d complete a deal for Halladay this winter. I’ve said it before; the team won in ‘09 without Halladay. What makes people think the Yankees need him to do it again?
Instead of trading for Halladay, the Yankees should sign free agent pitcher John Lackey. The Yankees rotation would be CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, John Lackey, Andy Pettitte and Joba Chamberlain/Phil Hughes. That is some rotation. They are going to have to pay Halladay after this season anyway so why not just pay Lackey now and not lose the prospects.
The argument for acquire Halladay is that prospects don’t always pan out and Halladay is a proven big league pitcher and former Cy Young Award winner. Jackson and Montero haven’t seen time in the bigs and Joba and Hughes’ roles are uncertain. While this is completely understood, there is an upside to these players that will pose the question, “What if?” These prospects can have great careers in other cities (the Yankees could always buy them back in the future).
If John Lackey was not available in free agency then the Yankees would be more apt to acquiring Halladay. Since Lackey is available, there’s a better chance the Yanks throw money at him to bring him to the Bronx.
Halladay may go to Boston and so be it. Yes, he’s a Yankee killer and he’ll shine in Boston, but the Yankees will do fine without him. I know I’m in the minority on this one.
Post By Rich Santonocito
Tags: Austin Jackson, Jesus Montero, Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes, Roy Halladay
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First off Lackey is not in the class of pitchers as Halliday. Yes the Yankees would have to give up a couple of there best prospects but you are aquiring one of the best if not the best pitcher in baseball. Pitching wins championships and if the Yankees had not signed CC last winter, there would be no championship this year. The Yankees will not win again going with a 3 man rotation in the playoffs next year as there wont be as many off days. When you have the chance to get the best pitcher in baseball you do it. Prospects are just that PROSPECTS.
You make valid points. Lackey is no bum though and of course he is no Halladay. Halladay is going to sign a big contract after this season and the question “When will the Yankees ever stop spending?” will arise. Lackey’s contract won’t be as big as Halladay’s next contract and he’d be a great addition to the rotation. Obviously Halladay would put the Yankees over the top but the Yankees can win without him in 2010.
Halladay and Lackey aren’t a must sign for the yankees this offseason. I’d rather they went elsewhere. The Red Sox won’t sign both guys and just one of them won’t make a big difference for the BoSox they’ll still wind up in 2nd. Yanks should be creative with their money and focus on giving their big prospects they have coming up. But with Mr. CASHman I know thats wishful thinking.