Posted: Monday, July 20, 2009, 8:53 PM | 77 comments |
 

Gammons: Phils MUST get Halladay
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ESPN's Peter Gammons says that the Phillies must get Roy Halladay.

Well, at least the headline of his blog says it. A fair summation of his position comes at the end of the post:

From this view, however, Halladay isn't like anyone else. If the Phillies get to the World Series for three straight years, it will be the greatest run in franchise history. And, sorry, there's only one Roy Halladay. If you can't pay for him with Kyle Drabek, try Visa.

Right there is the entire issue. Gammons has crystallized it and he also has managed to trumpet what is undoubtedly the position of Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi. If you read the Gammons piece, you can see that, in his view, it is unclear that anybody else has the cash or the prospects to make a deal. So why would the Phillies essentially bid against themselves and offer Drabek, their best minor-league pitching prospect?

Here is another question that nobody seems to ask. If the Phillies have no interest in doing an extension with Halladay, why would he agree to a trade? He can wait -- it isn't as if his value is going down. And if you are the Blue Jays, and you know that Halladay will be looking for his last big contract as a part of this transaction -- that's only logical, isn't it? -- then won't there be many more teams in a position to do something in the off-season, at a time when you can clear salary in a more orderly way and prepare yourself to make Halladay a contract offer?

Still many questions, with 10 days until the deadline.

 
Posted by Rich Hofmann @ 8:53 PM  Permalink | 77 comments
77
Comments   
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:07 PM, 07/20/2009
    Phils should wait for free agency... we are doing very good right now
    — joecos
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:19 PM, 07/20/2009
    I think you have to get Halladay. I like Drabek and THINK he will be good, just like everybody else, but Halladay IS GOOD, in fact, he's awesome. If he will come to Philly, make the trade. Marson, Donald, Happ or Drabek, not both, and one more, and I don't care if it's alot, we're getting alot back. Amaro has made the moves to compete this year and next, why not make this one too?
    — Bleue
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:23 PM, 07/20/2009
    We gotta go for it.
    — briere48burrell5westbrook36
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:24 PM, 07/20/2009
    Get Halladay. Keep Happ. Send Drabeck or any other two or three minor leaguers they want.
    — Scorekeeper
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:27 PM, 07/20/2009
    As much as i love Drabek's ceiling, I'd probably offer him/Donald/Knapp/Brown and see what Toronto's response would be. Drabek has all the makings of a good to great pitcher, but Halladay has already proven himself, like Bleue said.
    — duffers
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:34 PM, 07/20/2009
    This is a no brainer, give up some top prospects, so what! With Halladay and Hamels at top of the rotation, with this team, we have a dynasty, there is no guarantee that Drabek will hold up, Michael Taylor is the only untouchable cause Ibanez is almost 40.
    — nas786
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:40 PM, 07/20/2009
    This team has a chance to go on the greatest run in their history if they get Halladay. We cant keep the team the same and hope the same things happen as last year.
    — FightinPhil
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 9:47 PM, 07/20/2009
    after watching ibanez go over the centerfield fence tonight taylor is in for a wait. i loved the comment about the cubs starting pitcher being a strike machine. his first inning three hits three runs all earned. hey, he struck out werth and howard.
    — JACK V
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:06 PM, 07/20/2009
    i agree with Bleue until he adds the 4th guy. Unless that 4th is way down the list.
    — P Even
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:06 PM, 07/20/2009
    No brainer get Halladay and win the WS.
    — randy7676
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:09 PM, 07/20/2009
    Getting Halladay does guarantee the World Series. Without Halladay this team won the WS with a 46 year old pitcher and a late acquisition. For once the Philles are in the drivers seat. Halladay can wait.
    — rick2657
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:19 PM, 07/20/2009
    A quality farm system is meant to do one of two things...either 1.)provide prospects for your own team to fill gaps, or 2.) provide trade bait to fill in missing pieces through trades. The Phillies of the late '70s were successful in trading for Bake McBride in '77 and Dick Ruthven in '78...two players who helped eventually put us over the top in 1980. I don't think Tommy Underwood, Rick Bossetti, Dane Orge, etc. would have done that. Halladay is a missing piece to help get it done again. Let's not be afraid to trade some of our minor league talent to get it done. Just be smart in doing it!
    — SMOKEY811
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:20 PM, 07/20/2009
    I don't like this whole mentality of "we are doing good right now we don't need him" Cause that attitude only lasts until we hit a roadbump, and by then he could be pitching against us...we need to pursue halladay simply for his talent, regardless of our needs. We are an extremely good team, and extremely good teams solidfy themselves by continuing to build on talent.
    — MFPhils
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:43 PM, 07/20/2009
    My conditions for a trade would be a minor leaguer package, NOT anyone on the current roster especially Happ, and an immediate contract extension for at least another couple of years.
    — chollie
  • 0 like this / 0 don't   •   Posted 10:48 PM, 07/20/2009
    Prospects are just that. I live in Arizona and two years ago everyone thought they had the greatest set of prospects in baseball, turns out half of them stunk out loud and on, Upton, is any good. That being said, the Blue Jays want to get something for him now when they can get something good for him. But in this economy only a few teams can take on salary, and the Phillies are one. Two most other teams are not going to give up a boatload of prospects for him. We can get him with one top notch prospect, two good prospects and 2 throw ins. Drabek or Carrasco, is the top notch. Taylor isnt going anywhere because Toronto has anchor contracts at the corner outfield so why would they want him. I would bet Carrasco, Marson, Donald and two A level prospects get it done. Now one thing about this is J-Roll needs to stay healthy forever, because there is no depth there, and Feliz and Ruiz will need to be reupped because there is no depth behind them no. That is the only downside, if one of them gets hurt who fills in?
    — zonaindie2


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About Rich Hofmann
Rich Hofmann arrived at the Daily News in 1980 for a job whose status was officially designated as "full-time, temporary." A senior at Penn at the time, he was hired to fill in on the copy desk during a staff illness. The notion of him covering the Eagles or being a columnist did not exist in anyone's imagination. It was supposed to be six weeks and out, but he never left. It is only one of the reasons why so many people have concerns about him as a potential house guest. Rich has blogged the postseasons of the Flyers and Eagles. E-mail Rich at hofmanr@phillynews.com

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