The Roy Halladay trade rumor roundup
When Roy Halladay(notes) hits the trade block in your fantasy league, it's kind of a big deal. But when he becomes available in real-life, it's a total frenzy. Let's review some of the recent Halladay speculation and non-news...
• Joe Strauss of the Post-Dispatch reports that a Cardinals source said this: "Give Ricciardi all our minor-league rosters and let him circle any 5 names." And here's a quote from St. Louis general manager John Mozeliak: "It’s fair to say there will be a call to Toronto well before the deadline." Brett Wallace(notes) will no doubt be part of the conversation. [Twitter, St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
• Brewers general manager Doug Melvin says, "I'm open to talking about anybody." He reportedly made calls regarding Cliff Lee(notes), Doug Davis(notes) and Javier Vazquez(notes), but those guys aren't necessarily priced to sell. Milwaukee certainly has minor league talent to deal. [MLB.com, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]
• The Philadelphia Daily News' David Murphy(notes) suggests that Kyle Drabek is not, in fact, untouchable. But he's also not easily touched. The Phillies apparently believe the 21-year-old Drabek can contribute at the major league level in 2010. He's 5-0 with a 2.70 ERA at Double-A right now. Philadelphia GM Ruben Amaro Jr. says that while he has "some flexibility" to acquire an ace, the payroll is "well over $130 million, and there is a limit to what we can spend." [Philly.com, MLB.com]
• The Mets are already declaring their keepers for next year, it seems. Jenrry Mejia, Bradley Holt and Ike Davis may not be for sale. [Heyman/Twitter]
• Steve Bisheff believes the Angels could offer a multi-player package for Halladay including talent from the major league roster, plus both Brandon Wood(notes) and Trevor Reckling. Angels fans, be happy that Bisheff is your columnist and not your GM. [Angels Unplugged]
• If the Dodgers want Halladay, they'll probably need to part with Clayton Kershaw(notes). [Inside The Dodgers]
• The Rangers are plenty interested, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, and they have no shortage of elite prospects. They also have lots of salary coming off the books at the end of the current season and a division title is within reach. [Foul Territory, New York Post]
• The Blue Jays are also shopping Scott Rolen(notes) (duh) and Alex Rios(notes) (hmm). [Rosenthal]
• If the Red Sox deal for Halladay -- and it's not clear that the Jays would trade him within the division -- the move would "effectively strip the organization of its top prospects," according to Sean McAdam. Clay Buchholz(notes) would likely be the centerpiece of a Boston package. [Boston Herald]
• Mark Feinsand of the NY Daily News: "Halladay may be traded and he may not. Either way, I would almost guarantee it won’t be here." He doesn't believe the Yankees are willing to accept one of the Jays' bad contracts along with Halladay, nor does he think a deal including Phil Hughes(notes), Joba Chamberlain(notes) and Austin Jackson(notes) would appeal to GM Brian Cashman. [Blogging the Bombers]
• Alas, poor Ack. [The Tao of Steib]
• Gordon Edes says you're a year too late, Ricciardi. [Yahoo!]
Halladay has a no-trade clause, but we don't know exactly where he'd be, um...no-traded. Please use the comments section to select a favorite in the sweepstakes.
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Photo via US Presswire
