Category: Dailies
All eyes on Halladay
Many on hand at Rogers Centre on Sunday afternoon wondered if they were watching Roy Halladay’s last outing as the ace of the Blue Jays. If so, Doc did not disappoint, spinning a complete-game gem en route to a 3-1 win over the Red Sox.
“I was hoping he’d have an unbelievable performance, something I could remember when I look back at my time here in Toronto,” Jays catcher Rod Barajas said. “It definitely goes through your head. I hope it’s not the last time. Everybody in this clubhouse hopes it’s not the last time.”
Multiple reports indicated that representatives from the Dodgers, Phillies, Brewers, Tigers, Red Sox, Rangers and Twins were in attendance for Halladay’s latest start, which netted his 11th win and lowered his ERA to 2.73. Former Jays GMs Pat Gillick (Phillies) and Gord Ash (Brewers) were in Toronto for the entire weekend series against Boston.
Philadelphia is still believed to be the front-runner to land Halladay, and the Jays and Phils have reportedly already discussed a few of the Phillies’ top prospects, including outfielder Michael Taylor, shortstop Jason Donald and pitcher Carlos Carrasco. Top pitching prospect Kyle Drabek likely needs to be included to convince the Jays to pull the trigger on any deal with the Phils.
As far as the other clubs in attendance for Halladay’s start, it’s possible some were there to take a look at Boston’s players, or Toronto’s relievers — Doc’s fourth complete game of the year robbed scouts of that chance — and position players. The Red Sox don’t have serious interest in Halladay and the Rangers and Twins appear to be long shots.
It’s worth noting that Ash was at the helm in Toronto when the Blue Jays drafted Halladay. According to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com, “Rival teams say the Brewers have enough prospects to make a Halladay deal.”
Prior to previous Trade Deadlines, Halladay’s name has been tossed around in rumors and reports. This year, though, the speculation is real and Halladay’s recent comments indicate that he’s more open to the idea of being dealt than he was in the past. On Saturday, Halladay’s wife, Brandy, stepped into the radio booth during the Jays’ game and the talk eventually turned to the wave of rumors.
“This very well could be our last homestand,” Brandy Halladay said on The FAN590. “If something happens before the Trade Deadline, I won’t be back. That’s difficult. That’s more than difficult. I just broke into tears four minutes ago. … It’s very difficult for everybody. … You’re making me cry now.”
–Jordan Bastian
Bucs open to offers on Sanchez, Wilson
Late last week, the Pirates extended contract offers to Freddy Sanchez (two years, $10 million) and Jack Wilson (two years, $8 million) with the intention of taking them off the trading block if each accepted. However, both have rejected their individual offers and neither has presented the Pirates with a counter offer.
What does this mean? Pirates general manager Neal Huntington sees the absence of a counter offer as a sign that neither of the two middle infielders sees the Pirates’ value matching up with their expectations. And if dialogue doesn’t reopen between the various sides, the Pirates plan on listening to offers from clubs interested in acquiring either player in advance of the July 31 deadline.
Sanchez has garnered more interest than Wilson, but his $8 million club option — which will become guaranteed with 600 plate appearances this season — could be an obstacle, as other teams haven’t been overly enthusiastic about taking that on. Unless Sanchez is to get hurt, he will easily surpass those 600 needed plate appearances.
Wilson has a club option worth $8.4 million for 2010, but there is no way he can make that guaranteed. As a result, a club could pick him up as a two-month rental if wanted.
What will the Pirates seek in return? They desperately need some Major League ready or near Major League ready middle infielders. The organization also covets young pitching, so look for that to be high on the priority list as well.
— Jenifer Langosch
Follow me on Twitter: @LangoschMLB
Astros expect quiet deadline
Astros general manager Ed Wade reiterated his stance Saturday that he doesn’t see his club making an impact trade before the July 31 deadline.
Wade said the Astros don’t want to give up prospects and aren’t in position to add salary. Also, Houston entered play Saturday in a three-way tie for second place in the National League Central, just three games out of first.
“We’ll have conversations with clubs,” he said. “I just don’t want to raise undo expectations that we’re going to really be active at the trading deadline because that’s not going to be the case. We’re not going to be in a position to make a deal of significance.
“We’ve talked about where our payroll is at this point in time and we’re going to be very reluctant to give up a lot of young players. But we’ll continue to have conversations if there’s ways to improve.”
The kinds of things Wade anticipates doing are more along the lines of adding inexpensive pieces like Chris Coste, who was claimed off waivers July 10. Relievers Chris Sampson and Doug Brocail could also return from the disabled list soon.
“A year ago at this time we had a real pressing need for starting pitching and bullpen help and we went out and got [Randy] Wolf and [LaTroy] Hawkins,” Wade said. “The way Roy [Oswalt] and Wandy [Rodriguez] are pitching at the top of the rotation and the way the other three guys have gotten us deep enough into games, puts us in a position where we’re not in dire need to go out and add starting pitching.”
— Brian McTaggart
Rangers, Halladay watch
Yes, the Rangers are interested in Roy Halladay. There has been dialogue between the two clubs and the Blue Jays are scouting the Rangers farm system.
The biggest obstacle is the Rangers being able to take on Halladay’s salary. Another obstacle is the Blue Jays need a shortstop. Word is they want Elvis Andrus. Who wouldn’t? It’s unlikely that will happen.
Rangers officials term it a “longshot” in being able to land Halladay.
— T.R. Sullivan
Baker, Arroyo on the Deadline
Starting pitcher Bronson Arroyo wants Reds management to keep this team together and not sell. He knows the situation and it’s been reflected in his performance. Arroyo has thrown 16 scoreless innings over his last two starts, including seven scoreless for a 4-0 win over the Brewers on Friday.
“We’re on the brink of sliding downhill or fighting our way back into this thing,” Arroyo said. “Every game for the rest of the year is going to be huge for us. Everybody knows July 31 is always around the corner and looming. We want to continue to keep this team together. [Manager] Dusty [Baker] said in a meeting the other day that if you continue to win, they can’t remove pieces.”
When asked about that meeting on Saturday, Baker said ithe Trade Deadline is a natural thing to think about this time of year.
“It’s something on every team’s mind at this point,” Baker said on Saturday. “There are buyers and sellers. The closer you are in the race, the tighter things are, you’re more in buying mode than selling mode. Everybody has a budget. Some budgets are larger than other budgets.”
Baker wasn’t trying to indicate the Reds were on the brink of doing something – either way.
“That’s something that I tell every team I’m on, not just this team. I always say that every All-Star break. The Trade Deadline is only two weeks away. It wasn’t something that pertains to this team. It’s just a fact that’s true.”
— Mark Sheldon
Astros unlikely to make trade
Considering they’re still in the think of the National League playoff race and they aren’t wild about trading away prospects (remember they sent some guy name Ben Zobrist to the Rays for Aubrey Huff a few years ago?), the Astros don’t expect to make a splash before the trade deadline.
Astros general manager Ed Wade made two trades last year that wound up having huge impacts, acquiring pitchers Randy Wolf and LaTroy Hawkins. Shortstop Miguel Tejada, closer Jose Valverde and Hawkins — all of whom will be free agents at season’s end — would be the most likely to get dealt, but not while the Astros are in position for another one of their usual second-half playoff charges.
Wade said any players coming on board to help the Astros in the second half would likely be call-ups from the Minor Leagues, such as pitcher Bud Norris and third baseman Chris Johnson. Norris will be up at some point this season.
Could Tigers get involved with Halladay?
The Tigers can’t be ruled out as a potential suitor for Roy Halladay, the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo suggests, if for no bigger reason than owner Mike Ilitch’s recent track record for spending lots of money to try to win. It was Ilitch, after all, that gave some push to the Tigers to acquire Miguel Cabrera from Florida two years ago, and signed him to an eight-year, $152.3 million contract. Ilitch’s willingness has also allowed the Tigers to maintain payroll over $125 million and swallow Gary Sheffield’s $13.6 million salary to release the slugger out of spring training.
The Tigers have a question at the back end of their rotation, where lefty Luke French will make his third Major League start coming out of the All-Star break Friday at Yankee Stadium. Detroit has been rumored to be looking for another starter, but not necessarily of the front-line variety.
The problem for the Tigers with any look at Halladay might not be so much financial as much as talent in return. With no Tigers products on Baseball America’s midseason top 50 prospects, Detroit’s top-level prospect talent essentially begins and ends with AL Rookie of the Year candidate Rick Porcello and reliever Ryan Perry, and Porcello is believed to be about as close to untouchable as the rest of Detroit’s young core.
— Jason Beck
Trade Talk 