Buzz: Roy Halladay is Making Demands
According to Buster Olney of ESPN.com, Blue Jays RHP Roy Halladay will not approve a trade once he reports to spring training.
“This means that the Blue Jays either will have to work out a trade of Halladay by the end of the offseason,” Olney explains, “or be prepared to receive only draft-pick compensation when the pitcher becomes eligible for free agency in the fall of 2010.”
…man, this couldn’t be more like the Johan Santana-Twins situation if it tried… the thing is, will halladay demand a contract extension, like santana did… if so, it’s nearly an identical situation, short of santana being five years younger…
…from halladay’s perspective, this makes perfect sense… best case scenario, he gets traded to a contending team, signs a mega-contract, and can tackle spring training with a new organization and a fresh start… at minimum, he gets to have one final season in toronto, where he can focus 100 percent on being healthy and successful, with no media distractions about a potential trade at the deadline, in advance of becoming a free agent…
Jeremy Sandler of the National Post believes the Blue Jays will seek a major league-ready arm and bat, both young and affordable, as well as young prospects, in a deal for Halladay.
This past weekend, also for ESPN.com, Olney said Halladay would agree to be sent to the Yankees, Red Sox, Phillies or Angels.
…the Blue Jays have to make a deal… they have to… the two draft picks they’ll get when he leaves one year from now as a free agent will not compare – in the short-term – to getting a player like Phil Hughes or Clay Buccholz, assuming that level pitcher can be had… i feel they’d be better off making it a one-for-one deal, i.e., getting at least one known quantity, to build around, as opposed to betting draft picks or a basket of mediocre talent, like the Twins did with santana…
For more on Halladay’s demands, check out Olney’s report, here.
