While Roy Halladay was shutting out the Mets Saturday afternoon, the Yankees were experiencing a bit of bad news 90 miles north. First, Javier Vazquez was pounded for another 5 runs in 3 innings to raise his ERA to 9.78. A few innings later, Curtis Granderson injured his groin and could be lost from the lineup for a month. The Yankees lineup, which appeared poised for a juggernaut season, now has some glaring holes, not to mention the early struggles of Mark Teixeira and Nick Johnson. While Halladay was mowing down the Mets it made me think about the Yanks pursuit of Halladay last season. What if they were able to swing a deal for the Toronto ace? How would the landscape of the American League, and all of baseball, look like? Would there be any doubt about Yankees dominance?

All information that I have been given indicates that Toronto never intended to send Halladay to New York, unless they were given a king’s ransom. However, I always wonder if the Yankees seriously dangled a package of Joba Chamberlain, Austin Jackson, Arodys Vizcaino, and Phil Coke, would Toronto have bitten? How would the Yankees rotation look with Halladay and Sabathia 1 and 1A, with A.J. Burnett a solid third? Yes, even with Vazquez’s struggles the Yanks starting pitching has been solid, but would the Yanks with Halladay in the rotation and Johnny Damon in the OF versus Granderson and Vazquez be in better shape today? Right now the depth they traded to Detroit and Atlanta has yielded a below league average outfielder who can’t hit lefties and Ed Whitson part two.

It’s easy to play armchair quarterback on May 2nd, but I couldn’t help but wonder what if? I suspect there are a few out there who share my feelings as well.

Mike Silva is a freelance writer and radio host since March of 2007. This website is his own personal "digest" of New York Baseball He's also hosts NYBD Radio on Blog Talk Radio and 1240 AM WGBB. Check out his sports media commentary at www.sportsmediawatchdog.com. Check out his official website, www.mikesilvamedia.com

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Tags: Curtis Granderson, Javier Vazquez, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Roy Halladay