From Peter Gammons (ESPN), we learn that the Yankees called the Blue Jays about Roy Halladay and were told that the price for the aging ace would be Phil Hughes and our two best position prospects, Austin Jackson and Jesus Montero. Brian Cashman would never pull the trigger on that deal, though, which is a good thing, and the Blue Jays had to have known that. If this is what J.P. Riccardi was asking for, then you can bet that Toronto had no intention of trading Halladay within the division to begin with.
UPDATE – Earlier tonight Jon Heyman, via Twitter, noted that the Jays wanted Joba, Hughes and two more for Halladay. That’s pretty incredible if they actually thought that they could get such a package from the Yankees. Then, about 45 minutes ago, Heyman tweeted that the Yankees “might—repeat might—consider giving up Joba for Halladay but won’t entertain request of Joba and Hughes.”
My initial reaction is one of outrage, as trading Joba or Hughes is simply nonsensical if you’re in search of pitching depth. However, Heyman’s use of the word “might” is important here. I’m sure the Yankees “might” consider a number of things, whether it’s trading Joba, Hughes or Robinson Cano. Of course, that doesn’t mean that they will actually trade any of them, though. At the end of the day, all that matters is what you will do and I doubt that the Yankees will trade Joba or Hughes for Roy Halladay. In addition, it also makes sense to say that you “might” consider moving Joba, especially if that makes other AL East teams—I’m obviously thinking of the Red Sox, in particular, and the Rays—ante up and offer more.
(props to MLBTR)
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J.P. Riccardi is a moron! I hope he loses his job over this.
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Chris H. Reply:
July 25th, 2009 at 10:14 pm
I think he has every right to ask for such a package, given the fact that it’s trading Halladay within the AL East. However, people fail to realize that trading three big prospects within the AL East is equally dangerous (and more so, even). The Jays know that, too, which is why they’re AL East asking price will never be met (and they’re fine with that).
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scott l Reply:
July 25th, 2009 at 11:13 pm
Trades are supposed to help both teams and what that MORON GM is doing is a joke imo. He comes out and says Halladay is available but in reality he is not. Halladay imo will not be traded because J.P. Riccardi is being greedy.
He can’t make up for his stupidity in giving Wells and Rios outrageous contracts by raping potential trade partners.
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Chris H. Reply:
July 26th, 2009 at 12:19 am
LOL. You’re definitely right in that Halladay isn’t truly available. He’s available to NL teams and non-AL East teams, but as you can see from the exorbitant asking price for the Yankees, it’s clear that Halladay isn’t available within the AL East.
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I was reading somewhere else that Jon Heyman said on his twitter that it would take Joba and Phil + 2 others probably Montero and Jackson, thats crazy.
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David A Reply:
July 25th, 2009 at 10:22 pm
If cashman made this trade he should be fired
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Chris H. Reply:
July 26th, 2009 at 12:20 am
Hey Kareem—just updated the post. And to David, exactly. It would be the worst trade in Yankee history, IMO.
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We cannot trade Chamberlain. For years to come that would haunt us.
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I never pay attention to what teams ask for. They can ask for anything they want, from any team. Doesn’t mean they’ll get it or even come close.
I also ignore what teams “might” give up in a deal. The word is vitually meaningless; we have no idea who the source is. Are the Yankees using Heyman to send signals? If so, to whom — the Jays, division rivals, the Angels? Or is heyman just speculating ro passing along a rumor he heard from another reporter or some baseball executive who was thinking aloud?
The best information we have comes from the Yankees’ track record under Cashman, who is calling the shots. He has made clear the team is not looking for (and not willing to pay the price for) front-end starters. The Yankees will make one or more moves to acquire pitching, yes, but not this one.
As for J.P., I think he’s overplaying his hand….
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Right now everyone needs to forget about Halladay and realize that most likely the Yankees won’t make any move at all and if they do it would be for a 4th or 5th style pitcher. The name that I am really interested in right now is Zach Duke, now before you say anything I understand he has never lived up to his potential and that this year is his only good year in the majors thus far after his rookie campaign and he does pitch for the national league and the Pirates but I think he is a more sound investment than the 34 year old Washburn and would cost a lot less than Lee and no where near Halladay. You could get Zach young and slip him into the 5th spot in the rotation and he would give you at least what Mitre does and more and he is a lefty so going forward to next year you have a lefty on boat to replace Pettitte and he is only 26 so he should be coming into his own. Not only does he allow us to continue to have two lefties in the rotation but he makes the starting pitching depth stronger going forward unlike Washburn who is gone at the end of the season.
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