Halladay Still Yanks Best Option
By Frank Russo ~ December 6th, 2009. Filed under: Frank Russo Rants and Raves, Rumor Mill.
We’re now one day away from the start of the winter meetings and as we all know, there will be much talk regarding the status of Roy Halladay. Many in the Yankees organization believe that it is absolutely imperative for Cashman to obtain Halladay, since it will not only strengthen the starting rotation, but also keep the former Cy Young award winner away from the hated RSN.
While Jon Heyman believes that Boston is the front runner, there are many baseball executives who believe that the Yankees are actually the front runners to obtain Halladay, simply because of their need to fill some glaring holes in the rotation.
There is also a feeling among many baseball executives that Halladay is actually the best option for the Yankees at this point, especially when you look at the rest of this year’s class of free agent pitchers.
John Lackey is this year’s “big dog” on the free agent front, and while the Yankees love him, his asking price will most likely preclude the club from going after him. There has also been a lot of chatter lately in regards to Randy Wolf and Joel Pineiro, but many scouts feel that both pitchers would get hit hard if they pitched in the AL East. Cashman could also take a flyer on often injured pitchers like Erik Bedard, Ben Sheets, and Rich Harden, but again they would be taking a risk since health is a major factor with all three.
As for the remaining free agent hurlers, Jason Marquis wants to pitch for the Mets, Jarrod Washburn is old, Brad Penny and Doug Davis are not considered options, and Jon Garland, well, let’s not go there.
So if the Yanks are really serious about upgrading a rotation that, at the moment, appears to be very shaky beyond C.C., Burnett, and Pettitte when he signs, then Halladay really does appear to be the best option.
I spoke to my main Yankees source down in Tampa a few days ago, who told me that the organization will most likely start with a package of Chamberlain/Montero or Chamberlain/Austin Jackson and go from there. While Phil Hughes has not been ruled out from being included in any package, the Yanks will not include both he and Joba in the same package.
So what will it take for the Yankees to get Roy Halladay? At this point, it’s anyone’s guess. Personally, I’m hoping that Brian Cashman doesn’t allow his love affair with his “Precious Prospects” to cloud his judgment and prevent him from acquiring one of the best pitchers in all of baseball.
December 6th, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Cashman’s “love affair” with prospects enabled him to make the best non-move of his career in regards to the Santana sweepstakes two years ago.
This team is FAR better off because he didn’t make that move. That is indisputable.
Sabathia AND Hughes (among others who were expected to be in that deal) > Santana
So you may want to think about what you’re saying before you rip Cashman for his tendency to hold onto his young talents and keep them for himself.
This team won their 27th ring in large part because he didn’t make that deal.
December 6th, 2009 at 7:00 pm
“Sabathia AND Hughes (among others who were expected to be in that deal) > Santana”
Actually, I agree with your premise, but, Sabathia WAS NOT on the team two years ago. LOL.
December 6th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
There is no way the Yankees are going to start with an offer of Joba plus Montero. Thats insane. For what? To save $7M on a pitchers contract. Think about it, that is all the Yankees are doing. Would the Yanks sell Joba and Montero for $7M? (I am assuming that Halladay is a $23M a year pitcher being paid $16M – hence in a trade he would be worth $7M). This is looking to be a lot like the Santana sweepstakes. Right now Halladay, Lee, Webb, and Beckett are all set to be free agents next year if the Yankees want another ace they will pay with cash, not cash and prospects. If the Yankees end up with Halladay it will be because they waited the Jays out and there was nothing there. Maybe a package of A-Jax, Bleich, Betances, Reliever (say Melancon), and an infielder (Russo, Pena, Corona).
December 6th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Viper,
I didn’t bring up Santana, you did. I actually agree that Cashman did the right thing by turning down Minnesota since they wanted Hughes, Melky and and Wang in that deal, which was way too much.
I’m not going to be careful about what I say about Cashman in regards to prospects, since everyone knows he is overly infatuated with them. I would do whatever it takes to get Halladay in pinstripes, even if it means trading Joba to get him. You can disagree all you want, but that;s my opinion, and the opinion of many Yankees fans.
December 6th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
The point was that not making the Santana move allowed Cashman to keep Hughes, Melky, and Marquis (who was later traded for Swisher) and led to the signing of Sabathia a year later.
December 6th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Viper,
I agree. Minnesota was asking way too much then. No way would I have given up both Hughes and Wang in the same eal. Hughes going to the bullpen helped save the Yankees season in my book.
BTW…you mean Jeff Marquez, not Marquis.