DownSwinging.com

Yesterday, Blue Jays G.M. J.P. Ricciardi just floated out the idea that his office will be listening to offers for their ace, Roy Halladay. Halladay, I need not tell you, is a star, and is extra valuable just because of the pure consistency that he has brought to the mound, despite the fact that the Jays haven’t really been contenders for a long time. Halladay is set to receive around $7 million more for this year, and $15.75 million for 2010, when his contract runs out. Halladay also has a full no-trade contract.

So first, let’s take a look at things from the Jays’ perspective. Number one, they haven’t committed to anything, so it’s not like Halladay is walking out the door. Rather, and quite wisely, Ricciardi is saying its a possibility they will trade him, and they want to see what they might get in return. But what really is happening here is that the team is at a bit of a crossroads, and whatever decision they make now is going to change things in the future. If they do decide to let go of Halladay, at the minimum what they are saying is that the team is surrendering on winning on ‘09 and ‘10 already, basically. If they thought they could win in 2010, they would keep Halladay, but that is going to be a long shot in the AL East, a real long shot. But what they could accomplish after that could be a lot. Say they pick up a few prime (not very top-tier, but multiple second-tier guys that will be solid ballplayers) prospects in return for Halladay. If they trade Rios, too, they’ll get even more. They’ll be in full force in two years, and will combine well with the young Adam Lind, Aaron Hill, etc. Also, hopefully for the Jays, some of the young pitching, (i.e. Tallet, Cecil) pans out. At that point, the team could be dangerous. The only downside to that plan is that is right about the time that Baltimore is ready to breakout as well, which means we could very well see five strong ballclubs in the AL East in 2010.