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.

Yankees’ Interest in Roy Halladay

According to Jon Heyman of SI, the Yankees have contacted the Blue Jays about Roy Halladay. The Yankees have tested the waters in the past, but the price was too high for Halladay. The Blue Jays were asking for Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain in a package of prospects back in July and the Yankees didn’t budge. Turns out the 2009 World Series champs didn’t need Halladay. Hughes and Joba pitched well for them throughout the season, most notably Hughes as the setup man in the regular season and Joba in the late innings of the postseason.

The longer the Blue Jays wait, the less they’ll acquire in return for Halladay. Current Blue Jays general manager, Alex Anthopoulos, would like to get at least something for him before he jets into free agency and they are only compensated by a draft pick.

Just like the Yankees didn’t budge in July, they shouldn’t budge this winter. The main reason is they won without the guy! Why would they want to give up their better prospects and young arms for a him when they already know they can do it without him? It makes less sense now than it did over the summer for the Yankees not to pursue Halladay. Their two young arms, Hughes and Joba, have more postseason experience than Halladay. Don’t get me wrong, Halladay is a great pitcher. Top of the line. I’d rather see the Yankees sign free agent pitcher John Lackey than trade for Halladay. It’s better they only lose dollars, not players, to acquire a pitcher.

Here are two articles I wrote last July against the Yankees’ pursuit of Roy Halladay: The Yankees and Roy Halladay, Yankees Shouldn’t Celebrate the “Halladay”. I stand by my words and there is absolutely no reason the Yankees should acquire Roy Halladay, even if the Red Sox are on the verge of signing him. There should be no “swooping in” by the Yankees like they did with Teixeira. Brian Cashman will remain in the talks for Halladay to either drive up the price for the Red Sox and other bidders, or because the Yankees are genuinely interested in bringing Halladay to the Bronx.

Yankees Trade and Free Agent Rumors

Here are some rumors going around about the Yankees as of November 12, 2009.

The New York Post reports Scott Boras, agent of Johnny Damon, is making a case that his client deserves a contract similar to Jeter. Boras is looking to get Damon a deal for three or four years while the Yankees would like to bring him back for one or two years tops. Read the article

If Boras sticks to his guns then Damon’s days in pinstripes are over. Cashman isn’t going to dish out big bucks to Damon until he’s 40 years old. The Yankees have prospect Austin Jackson waiting in the wings and he should better ready in the next year or two. The Yankees can find a cheaper, younger alternative for left field.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post has also reported that the Tigers will be taking offers for Curtis Granderson and believes the Yankees will be interested. Read the article

I’m probably in the minority but I’m not so sure I like this. Granderson started hitting for power in ‘09 and his average plummeted. In ‘09 he hit 30 home runs and batted .249 with a .327 OBP. His OBP was over .360 in ‘07 and ‘08 and he hit 23 and 22 home runs those seasons. He hit .302 in ‘07 and .280 in ‘08. If he stole more bases I think it would be a no-brainer (20 SB in ‘09, 12 SB in ‘08, 25 SB in ‘07).

Brian Cashman on Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes: “I look at them as starters that can relieve.” Read the article

This could change if the Yankees add a starting pitcher or two.

SI reports that Andy Pettitte is leaning on coming back to the Yankees for one more year.

Pettitte has supposedly told some Yankees he wants to play one more year.

The Yankees, looking for another starting pitcher, have been linked to having interest in free agent John Lackey, the Blue Jays’ Roy Halladay and SI thinks Derek Lowe of the Braves.

Some teams are concerned with Lackey’s durability. If the Blue Jays put Halladay out there, expect the Yankees to be bidders along with the Red Sox, Mets, and some other teams. I’d rather see the Yankees go with a young pitcher, like Hughes, Kennedy or maybe Brackman, rather than trade for Derek Lowe.

Deadline Passes, Halladay Not Traded

The trade deadline passed and although there were some moves, the big fish stayed put.  It was like going to a concert and there only being opening acts performing and no headliner. Roy Halladay, the biggest fish in baseball for the last several weeks, remains with the Blue Jays.  The deals we did see were Victor Martinez to Boston, Jake Peavy to the White Sox, and Jarrod Washburn to the Tigers among others.  There were a flurry of other trades, but no true pennant race changing trades were made.  Boston gets a nice player in Martinez, but he isn’t a superstar.  We may not be totally done because some players could be traded if they get through waivers.  Don’t count the Yankees out of still acquiring a pitcher sometime in August.

The Yankees and Roy Halladay

Roy Halladay won’t be a Phillie.  That we know for sure.  Where he will wind up?  We’ll know by Friday night.

The Phillies acquired pitcher Cliff Lee from the Indians today, leaving one less team that will be involved in Halladay discussions.  The Blue Jays’ deadline to trade Roy Halladay has passed but the MLB trade deadline lasts until Friday.  There have been numerous rumors about where Halladay would be traded to but nothing is imminent.  The Yankees and Red Sox will remain players in the Halladay derby as long as they know that the other team each is still alive in the Halladay chase.

I have said since day one that I do not think the Yankees should trade for Halladay.  I wavered a bit when the idea of Halladay going to the Red Sox dawned on me but I am standing strong and my position has not changed.  Maybe my mind would change if I thought the Sox had a legitimate shot at acquiring Halladay but I don’t think that’s the case.  I don’t think Halladay gets traded and in the small chance he does, I don’t think he’ll be traded to the Red Sox.

It would be tough to see Halladay in Boston, it really would.  Knowing that the Yankees had the goods to get him but took a pass and he wound up in Boston would kill me.  But if it happens, it happens.  This could be a turning point for the Yankees.  I say this because when does the spending stop?  Their payroll is over $200 million.  Acquiring Halladay, then giving him an extension, pushes that number up more.  The spending has to stop somewhere.  For the Yankees to give up their young players for Halladay means that they will have to spend more money when the time comes that those young players would have made an impact on the team.  At the time the prospects would be making an impact, the Yankees will need to dig deep into their pockets for free agents to fill the void.  The spending continues and the payroll grows.  Even the Yankees have a limit and this might be telling us something.  The Yankees would love to have Halladay, no question.  But it would require the Yankees to dig back into the wallet, now and in the future.

This will be the second time we see the Yankees show some limitations.  They didn’t want to give up their prospects for Santana a couple of years ago.  They went with young pitchers in their rotation and although it didn’t work out, they still went for it and gave them a chance.  The youngsters didn’t do well and the Yankees made a huge splash in free agency over the winter.  The Yankees still gave it a shot though.  They showed some limitations.

So if the Yankees don’t trade for Halladay, that will be the second time they have showed some limitation in the last few years and gives me reason to believe they won’t have a $300 million payroll by 2014.  When will the spending stop?  I don’t know.  They could spend a fortune this upcoming offseason if they don’t win and people will say that they should have traded for Halladay and given him the money.  That’s not the point.  The point is, they gave it a shot.  They held on to the prospects.  Who knows, maybe their holding on to a gem.  Maybe they win with what they have.  Maybe they change their ways one day.  The Yankees will probably always have the highest payroll in baseball (as long as there is no cap and the Steinbrenners remain owners) but maybe they’ll slow down and let some other teams catch up.  Maybe we won’t always hear the line “Yea the Yankees won, they have the highest payroll”.

I want to see the Yankees stop buying the best and start growing the best like they once did.  Jeter, Mariano, Posada, and Pettitte were all home grown and major contributors in the 90’s dynasty.  I want to see that again.

Blue Jays are Pricing Themselves Out of a Halladay Deal

The Blue Jays have spoke to several teams in the last few days and have made demands on what players they want in exchange for Roy Halladay.  I really don’t understand what Blue Jays GM, JP Ricciardi, is doing. Ricciardi and the Jays are demanding for a ridiculous amount of talent in return for Halladay and teams just aren’t going to do it.  If the Jays can’t deal Halladay before the deadline, they aren’t going to get a whole lot for him in the winter. They will get the most in return for him now, but they are just pricing themselves out of a deal.  

Ricciardi needs to lower the asking price, not by that much, but by at least one or two players. For instance, Jon Heyman of SI reported that they have said they would trade Halladay to the Yanks for Joba, Hughes and two other players.  There is no way the Yankees do that right now.  Especially since both guys are pitching so well.  So why don’t the Blue Jays ask the Yankees for Joba and maybe Austin Jackson and another player.  Don’t ask for Joba and Hughes.  They are basically saying ‘we are not trading Halladay this season’, because they won’t get what they are asking for from the Phillies, Yankees or any other team.  If Halladay is traded, the Blue Jays will be accepting less than what they are demanding, but they will still receive a good amount of talent in the trade.

Jays and Phillies in Serious Halladay Talks

Looks like the Blue Jays didn’t scare off the Phillies after all.  According to Jon Heyman of SI, the Blue Jays and Phillies are in “intense” trade negotiations involving Roy Halladay.  Heyman also tweeted today that the Jays hinted to the Yankees that it would take Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and two other players for them to obtain Halladay.

Minaya Says Mets Not Sellers Right Now

10 and 1/2 games out of first place and only in front of the Nationals.  That is where the Mets currently stand.  The club’s poor play, injuries, and front office issues are keeping the Mets a hot topic in the media.  They have the highest payroll in the National League and the fifth worst record.  The trade deadline is getting closer and people are wondering what the Mets will do.  Will they be buyers or sellers, or not make any deals?  About trading away players, Omar Minaya said, “Right now we do not envision that.  We are still kind of trying to find out how we can improve this team, if we can improve it through trades.”

I don’t think making a trade will make this team any better, no matter who the player is.  They can land the best player on the open market (Halladay) and still not make the playoffs.  They will need to acquire several players and then ride a hot streak in order to contend for a playoff spot.  I know there was a rumor that the Mets turned down a trade with the Jays for Halladay and the rumor has been shot down since then but if it was true, would Halladay OK a trade to the Mets?  He can veto any proposed trade.  Why would he want to go to the Mets when he can go to a team like the Dodgers or Phillies.  He can go to a team that is in first place.  A team that can win it all this season. 

The Mets have front office issues that aren’t helping either.  All this nonsense with Tony Bernazard doesn’t make the organization look good.  The Mets have problems and the Wilpons can either let Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel try to make things better this season and retain them for next season, or cut them loose and make some roster moves (maybe trade a star), start over and get a core group of players to build around.

Yankees Shouldn’t Celebrate the ‘Halladay’

If the Yankees ever want to cut payroll and stop spending lavishly, then they will not make a trade for Roy Halladay. In addition to prospects the Yankees have deemed ‘untouchable’, the Yankees would also have to give up either Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain to land Halladay.  We’re not talking about a trade of Austin Jackson and either Hughes or Joba for Halladay, we’re talking about Jackson, Hughes/Joba and two or three other top prospects for Halladay and then a multi-year, multi-million dollar extension for Halladay.  

Would it be worth it?  If the Yanks get Halladay they will have a greater chance at winning it all this season and probably next season, but they hurt their future.  The Yankees can keep spending and spending and trading away young talent in exchange for stars in their early 30’s and always be in the “win now” mode or they could work up their prospects, let them get the kinks out, give them the chance to contribute and come up big in the postseason, and give the Yankees a shot at another dynasty.

Let’s face it, the Yankees are getting old.  Jeter, Posada, Pettitte, and Mariano are all getting up their in age.  Those four guys all came up in the mid 90’s.  The Yanks were just getting ready for a youth movement recently, for the first time since those guys came up.  The Yankees made two incredible signings over the winter.  They signed Sabathia and Teixeira in their prime.  I think the Yankees currently have a good mix of players that are up-and-coming, in their prime, and experienced veterans.  

The Yankees have two options:

They can trade their best prospects for Halladay and hope he can get them over the hump and win a title.  Then, trade other top prospects next July for a star and hope to win again.  Get older… and older.  

Or, they could give the young guns a chance; pitch Joba every fifth day, give Hughes the set-up role, let Austin Jackson take over center, get Cervelli behind the plate, take what comes with young baseball players and hope the vets can play big and create a team that can win now and also have a chance at another dynasty within the next ten years.

If Halladay comes in here and the Yanks don’t win it all, then what?  He could struggle and get injured and not be the same after he signs a 5-year extension worth $18 million a year.  At least when the Yankees signed guys like Pavano, Giambi, and Mussina, all they did was spend money, they didn’t have to give away their prospects.  

A time must come when the Yankees say they will not trade certain players, no matter what, and stick with it.  They need to commit to the young players.  The price for Halladay is too steep… It’s the price of what could be, the next great Yankees dynasty.