But I keep hearing that the Red Sox and Yankees are two big contenders for the right-hander's services. A few things puzzle me about these scenarios.
Let's start with the Yankees:
- With all their wheelings and dealings through the years, how can they possibly have any prospects left that the Blue Jays could possibly be interested in?
- Where do the Yankees get this endless supply of money to pay guys like Mark Teixeira, CC Sabathia and Alex Rodriguez, among others, and possibly, Roy Halladay, who will make $14.25 million this year? Seriously, are the players' paychecks clearing? They already have the highest payroll in the major leagues, by far, and just built a billion-dollar stadium that has received, so far, a lukewarm reception.
Similar questions could be asked about the Red Sox, but here's another:
- Where does Halladay fit in their rotation? Obviously, a guy like that, it's not hard to find a spot for him (it's called No. 1). But you figure the first four spots in the rotation go like this: Halladay, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield. Then you have Brad Penny, John Smoltz, and if he ever comes back, Daisuke Matsuzaka battling for the fifth spot. My guess is, Boston isn't sending it's $100 million Japanese investment to the bullpen. Smoltz and Penny are veterans who want to start, but you have to surmise that one or both of them will be moving on if the Sox get Halladay.
And then there are the glaring questions facing the Blue Jays:
- How do you propose to get better by sending your immediate competition one of the best pitchers in baseball?
- Halladay is not Allen Iverson or Brandon Marshall, a malcontent who thinks much more highly of himself than he should and wants to leave town because he's not appreciated. Halladay is basically a model employee in Toronto. He gets his money, he does his job very well, and you don't hear a whole lot from or about him. And he still has a year left on his current contract, which he extended just a few years ago. So why the hell would the Blue Jays trade him anywhere, especially in the division?
Hopefully they come to their senses and don't.
3 comments:
Of course I would like to see Halladay in a Sox uniform, but I understand what you're saying. Yes, there is revenue sharing in baseball, but there needs to be a salary cap.
The Yankees don't seem to mind paying the luxury tax year in and year out, and without a level playing field, only a handful of teams (generally those in big markets) are going to compete.
It was a complete and utter suprise to see a team like the Rays make the World Series last year, and you can already tell that was a fluke of sorts.
The cream generally rises to the top in baseball, and its only because they can afford the best cream.
Wow, a Red Sox fan in favor of a salary cap. I'm impressed. And you're absolutely right. It works in the other major sports, but for whatever reason, baseball refuses to give it a shot. Maybe someday.
I wouldn't call the Rays a fluke just yet. They're not far away in Boston's rearview mirror, and as we all know, objects are closer than they appear.
The Rays will make a run.
Why can't the Brewers make a serious pitch (haha get it?) for Halladay? It obviously worked last year with CC. They definitely need some pitching (i.e. giving up 8 runs to the Pirates last night). Do they just not have the prospects after giving up LaPorta or are they thinking this might not be the year?
Post a Comment