Somebody is calling for The Doctor

The Halladay Rumors

The rule of thumb when teams ( in any major sport ) trade with other teams, is whoever gets the best player wins the deal. More often than not this the case.
A lot changes of course if you can only rely on the best player staying with your team. If the best player is a potential free agent at the end of the current season, the risks are higher.
Look at the Boston Celtics, they dealt, what 6 players, or was it 7 players for Kevin Garnett. Do you think they are happy, did they win the deal, I think so. I seem to remember a parade honoring the NBA champions, and he was there.
How about the San Jose Sharks and their deal to get Joe Thornton. While they have not reached the Stanley Cup Finals, there's nothing left in Boston but stale pizza and warm beer from that Boston celebration. Oh wait, there's Marco Sturm, this year he played 19 games, pass the warm Budweiser.
The Jays dealt Clemens to the Yanks, thanks to the "out clause" for ex-Jay David Wells, Homer Bush and Graeme Lloyd. Wells was never pleased returning to Toronto, so he did not last, and Homer Bush lost his job after 2 injury plagued years to Orlando Hudson by 2002, having never played more than 80 games. Lloyd appeared in 5 games.
So for a premier pitcher, we got one season of David Wells, and one good full year of Homer Bush, and 5 relief appearances. Clemens won seasons of 13, 20, 13, and 17 wins, and after a few seasons with pal Pettitte in Houston recorded a brief encore in 2007 with a short 6 win season. Oh, and in 2002 , they got David Wells back.

So before anyone starts dreaming of wonderful packages for the good Doctor, just remember that when the Minnesota Twins traded Johan Santana to the Mets, all that they can show for this is .222 hitter, Carlos Gomez, and he's not even an everyday player yet. The others are prospect pitchers, but are more suspects than prospects.

Here's the one deal that still sticks out as a winner in recent memory ;

Cleveland Indians traded for Bartolo Colon, and sent to the tribe Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips and Grady Sizemore. Sweet deal Omar, what happened to those Expos ???

Omar Minaya was the Expos GM, but he evened the score as he dealt Carlos Gomez , Phillip Humber, and Deoilis Guerrera for Johan Santana.
The 2 Twin pitchers are about equal to lost luggage at LaGuardia airport.

Since Roy Halladay has 18 months left and is not demanding any deal, what's the rush ? Has he had arm troubles ?, Roy's troubles are of the non arm/shoulder variety, hamstrings, broken legs from balls hitting them, and is the most durable start to start pitcher in the majors, bar none.


But for funzies, what deal would I make if I had to deal him.

I would make this one, with the always pitching starved Cincinnati Reds. The Reds, who are not miles out of contention might just be crazy enough to think they can catch either the Cardinals or Brewers.



Staple Lyle Overbay to Roy's body, and send them for Joey Votto, prospect 3rd baseman Adam Rosales, and Homer Bailey, plus another prospect. Rosales can watch Scott Rolen until the Jays can move Rolen to a contender for more depth on the mound. Let Rosales and Bautista platoon there for now.
Bailey needs a change of scenery, and plant Votto in the cleanup slot behind Adam Lind.














So play General Manager, and see if you can make deal where Roy Halladay is not the best player in the day. Go ahead, and make it realistic and see what you come up with, but it's easier to trade baseball cards. Good Luck !