Don’t Let Joba or Hughes Stand in the Way of Halladay
By Mike Silva ~ November 19th, 2009. Filed under: Offseason Speculation.
Roy Halladay in the Yankees rotation. That sounds scary to just about everyone outside of the Bronx. Since the World Series NYBD has been adamant about the Yanks looking more towards pitching than offense this shopping season. Roy Halladay was someone they pursued at the trade deadline, but the cost was too prohibitive for Brian Cashman. Now it appears Toronto has a new GM and new attitude towards trading Halladay. Unlike the Johan Santana sweepstakes it appears the Yankees and Red Sox are serious about the former Cy Young Award winner. If Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes are the necessary centerpiece of the deal not only is that ok, but the Yankees would be foolish to not pull the trigger. As talented both pitchers are you can’t allow potential to stand in the way of assembling an historic rotation and creating the next Yankees dynasty.
Having a choice I would send Chamberlain to Toronto in a heartbeat. Everyone here knows I don’t think Chamberlain is as good as advertised and lacks the maturity and baseball intellect to maximize that golden arm. That doesn’t mean it will be the case forever, but I believe he will be on the development curve much longer than anyone anticipated. The obscurity of Toronto would be the perfect place to work out those kinks – not the caldron of New York. Phil Hughes was the original gem of the Yankees renewed focus on player development. His performance out of the bullpen in 2009 was a huge step in the right direction. I wouldn’t hold on to him too tight, but value him over Chamberlain.
The larger picture is establishing a top notch rotation. The Yankees were lucky in 2009 winning the title with only three starting pitchers. I highly doubt they can muddle around with the fourth and fifth spot again and be so fortunate. Think about a rotation of Sabathia, Halladay, Burnett, Pettitte, and Hughes. It’s strong top to bottom and allows Andy Pettitte to have 38 year old days and Phil Hughes to develop.
Of course there will be considerable risk. Halladay just completed his age 32 season. He is going to require an expensive multiyear deal into his late thirties. It’s inevitable that all that innings mileage will catch up with him. Perhaps, but has Father Time caught up with Mariano Rivera? You just don’t know. This isn’t the same as taking on CC Sabathia, but the front half of Halladay might be so great that it’s worth swallowing the risk at age 37 and beyond. Every season, except one, since 2001 Halladay has produced an ERA+ of 140 and above. Even Johan Santana wasn’t that good.
The Red Sox almost went all out for Halladay at the deadline. They clearly will be interested this winter. You also have a desperate GM across town that would love to steal him ala Santana. Why let either of those teams have the best available pitcher? Hughes or Chamberlain shouldn’t be a stumbling block especially when you have a chance at an historic rotation and another dynasty.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:20 am
He’s 33 next year. As long as he doesn’t go to the Red Sox, I say pass. I’ve no problem with him on the Mets. 2010 may offer better opportunities to pay, but not trade and pay.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:21 am
a joba fronted package should be enough to land him.
November 19th, 2009 at 11:21 am
since when is 33 old?
November 19th, 2009 at 11:25 am
I don’t like trading young pitchers, particularly when your rotation will be full of older starters. I’d rather go after Lackey if pitching is required. That just costs dollars. Plus, Toronto will want Montero. Of course, if Yankees will take their Vernon Wells off their hands, they can get Halladay for very little.
November 19th, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Why don’t they just trade for Halladay and sign Lackey and then AJ and his two cent brain is your number 4 and it won’t matter?
This is so completely out of hand, it is getting tough to stomach.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
In regards to Joba, maturity comes with time. He may lack it now, but so did Curt Schilling. So did a lot of other young players who went through their trials by fire and listened to the right people. Is he coachable? Is he listening to the right advice? That remains to be seen. But it would be unfair to count out a guy that young because he doesn’t exactly have maturity in spades. There’s time.