Roy Halladay Chatter

Yes, by now I'm sure you all know that the Blue Jays may be putting Roy Halladay on the market and teams are definitely going to be interested in trading for arguably the best pitcher in baseball. After looking through most of the teams interested, it appears the Phillies are the front-runners for him. They have the most need for solid starting pitching and have the pieces to trade in return. However, the Yankees and Mets could certainly use a starter, and fans are begging their team to pull of the 2009 Summer Blockbuster. Here are, in my mind, what both teams need to give up to get him back:

Both teams will likely need to trade at least one player who is MLB-ready and has proven that he is MLB-ready. The Blue Jays want someone in return who can jump right into action and play a role in this team's line-up. A top prospect will likely also have to go in the deal as well as another minor leaguer, likely in the upper tiers. With that being said, I think the Mets have no chance at this deal simply because they do not have the prospects to trade for him. Even if they put Reyes in the deal, getting rid of two upper level prospects (Wilmer Flores, Jenrry Mejia, Brad Holt) would kill the Mets farm system. It's already very weak. However, here is a possible trade for the Yankees.

-Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes:
Both of them have shown they are ready to pitch in the big leagues and can take Halladay's spot in the rotation. If not the rotation, both can provide help in the bullpen as well. At this point, I think the Yankees would rather give up Joba. He hasn't panned out the way they had hoped, though they, and I, still believe it's too early in his career. In addition, I think the Yanks would want to end having to listen to the bullpen vs. rotation argument.
-Jesus Montero
Yankee fans won't want to give up this stud, but to land possibly the best pitcher in baseball, you have to give up something big. Montero isn't ready yet, but he's getting closer and closer. He has put up solid numbers since getting promoted to AA Trenton and was 2-for-2 in the All-Star Game. The Yankees are very deep at catcher, so they likely will not have need for Montero. However, losing a bat like his could hurt.
-Zach McAllister
This is another good prospect in AA Trenton that could help the pitching situation in Toronto. He has put up strong numbers so far and can be a durable starter in the near future. The Yankees have some strong pitching prospects, so they do not desperately need McAllister. Again, you have to give up talent to obtain supreme talent.

If you ask me, the only way I do this trade is if the Yankees can sign Halladay to an extension. It is pointless to give up strong, young players like this for a year and a half of Halladay. I also don't think it happens because Brian Cashman's philosophy is to hold on to youth rather than trade for a quick fix. If the Yanks can lock him up for the long term, then it can be considered. Otherwise, the deal is not smart in my mind.

Another option is that the Yankees would have to take Vernon Wells' big contract off the hands of the Jays. Wells is still a pretty solid center fielder, but no one wants his obscenely large deal. If the Yanks do that, they maybe don't need to give up too many of their bigger prospects or players, and instead, could give up either Gardner or Melky, and maybe one of the other prospects.

Anything is possible in baseball, but like I said, I don't see the Yankees giving up the guys they have built up in their farm system for Halladay, especially if he isn't signed to an extension. The Yankees can give him all the money he wants, but there is no sense in getting him as a quick fix. I think he goes to the Phillies when all is said and done, but Yankee fans can dream!