Should Red Sox trade for Roy Halladay??

[Brickowski]

Yes, if only to keep him away from the Yankees.  But I expect him to go to the Phillies because (a) the Blue Jays would prefer to send him outside their own division, and (b) the Phillies' rotation is a complete shambles and they will be willing to give up more to get him.

[QuinielaBox]

Yeah, Got to do it before that team I never type on the messageboards gets him. I really think we need some help at the plate, though.

[wdleehi]

Yes, if only to keep him away from the Yankees.  But I expect him to go to the Phillies because (a) the Blue Jays would prefer to send him outside their own division, and (b) the Phillies' rotation is a complete shambles and they will be willing to give up more to get him.

The Phillies rotation is not in complete shambles right now. 


With that said, I want them to get Halladay.

I mean what team wants to face the Phillies lineup with Hammels , Halladay and Lidge closing?

[BudweiserCeltic]

Looks like Buchholz is added in the package for Roy:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ys-tradebuzz072809

[Chris]

If the package is just Bucholtz, Bowden, and Westmoreland (which is what Gordon Edes is reporting is the main package), then I think you need to do that deal.  While Bucholtz has the potential to be special, I think Bowden is a 3rd starter at best, and Westmoreland is a nice prospect, but no one to hold up the trade for. 

Now, if they were to include Kelly or Bard, I would have a lot more of a problem with it.  But I am OK with this, since it would set the Sox top 3 (4 if you include Dice-K) for the next two years, which may be long enough to get Kelly and the next wave up here. 

[Jon]

While I hate to give up Bucholtz, I still think you do this deal.  Combining the best pitcher in baseball with two other ace caliber pitchers in Beckett and Lester is just too good of an opportunity to pass up.  In a 7 games series (assuming any series would go 7 games with those 3), a team would have to face Halladay, Beckett, and Lester twice each.  There's practically no way they'd lose, even if the offense isn't what some hope. 

As for Clay, unless the Sox think he's going to be Halladay in a couple of years, he's replaceable.  This isn't basketball where there's salary caps and superstars dominate.  In a few years if the Sox need a new ace, they can go out and get one via a trade or on the FA market.  If Clay's a stud, it'll kinda suck, but the Sox will recover with their farm system and resources. 

[Neurotic Guy]

I'm not sure I'd understand any hesitation if the offer is as described.  I'd even say yes to Bucholtz and Bard.  I really don't see a down side.  The Sox have more money to spend than virtually any team other than the Yankees, they also have a well functioning farm system and seem to do a great job drafting.  How can they lose in this deal unless Halliday's arm suddenly falls off?  You go from a team that is among the contenders to a team that is a clear favorite to win.  They'll have the money to keep the 3 aces in Boston if they want -- but can decide to let one of them go and still be a contender.  Their money and farm system keeps replenishing their roster.

[hpantazo]

While I hate to give up Bucholtz, I still think you do this deal.  Combining the best pitcher in baseball with two other ace caliber pitchers in Beckett and Lester is just too good of an opportunity to pass up.  In a 7 games series (assuming any series would go 7 games with those 3), a team would have to face Halladay, Beckett, and Lester twice each.  There's practically no way they'd lose, even if the offense isn't what some hope. 

As for Clay, unless the Sox think he's going to be Halladay in a couple of years, he's replaceable.  This isn't basketball where there's salary caps and superstars dominate.  In a few years if the Sox need a new ace, they can go out and get one via a trade or on the FA market.  If Clay's a stud, it'll kinda suck, but the Sox will recover with their farm system and resources. 

clay hasn't been looking too impressive lately, I would do this without hesitation. Clay has been overated since the no hitter

[Chris]

I'm not sure I'd understand any hesitation if the offer is as described.  I'd even say yes to Bucholtz and Bard.  I really don't see a down side.  The Sox have more money to spend than virtually any team other than the Yankees, they also have a well functioning farm system and seem to do a great job drafting.  How can they lose in this deal unless Halliday's arm suddenly falls off?  You go from a team that is among the contenders to a team that is a clear favorite to win.  They'll have the money to keep the 3 aces in Boston if they want -- but can decide to let one of them go and still be a contender.  Their money and farm system keeps replenishing their roster.

Well, the one real good argument against it I suppose is that they would be using their best assets to strengthen a position that is already their biggest strength, when they have a clear need for more offense.  Of course, the only positional player that is rumored to be available that I think you could consider using these kind of prospects for would be Adrian Gonzalez...and he happens to play a position where you are already strong at.  

Ultimately though, if you can get Halladay for the reported package, you just have to do it, regardless of need.

[nickagneta]

Globe is reporting that both the Blue Jays and red Sox front offices are denying that the Sox offered Buchholz, Bowden and Westmoreland in a package.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2009/07/report_red_sox_2.html

[Cman]

I'm not sure I'd understand any hesitation if the offer is as described.  I'd even say yes to Bucholtz and Bard.  I really don't see a down side.  The Sox have more money to spend than virtually any team other than the Yankees, they also have a well functioning farm system and seem to do a great job drafting.  How can they lose in this deal unless Halliday's arm suddenly falls off?  You go from a team that is among the contenders to a team that is a clear favorite to win.  They'll have the money to keep the 3 aces in Boston if they want -- but can decide to let one of them go and still be a contender.  Their money and farm system keeps replenishing their roster.

I'm with you on this.  I'll admit I dont understand baseball as much as basketball, but it seems like a no-brainer to trade what are basically prospects for Halladay.
 
Brickowski also makes a good point that Sox will want to keep Halladay away from the Yankees....

[BudweiserCeltic]

Globe is reporting that both the Blue Jays and red Sox front offices are denying that the Sox offered Buchholz, Bowden and Westmoreland in a package.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2009/07/report_red_sox_2.html

Maybe the package itself is not entirely accurate, but maybe there's some other package involved that does involve Buchholz.

In fact, yahoo itself seems to be saying that Westmoreland wasn't in the package, but they seem to be standing by Buchholz and Bowden being offered.

[nickagneta]

I'm watching Buchholz here and I think it would be a great idea to dump him while his stock is high. His fastball has absolutely zero movement and if he isn't getting the curve over his other breaking stuff isn't as effect.

I think he'll eventually be a good third starter but never top of the rotation stuff and I think they should strike with something now before he proves to the league's scouts that I am right. Halladay, Gonzalez. Whoever. Make the big deal and get some proven All-Star for him now.

[JBcat]

We would have a great chance of winning the next 2 world series if we did this.   In baseball for the most part you are only as good as your next starting pitcher especially in a 7 game series.  Throwing out Beckett, Lester, and Halladay to start a series.  wow.   I'm a big fan of the Sox developing from within but you have to do this if given the chance.     

[BadBoyBosh]

Does anybody else think Bucholz will have a Casey Fossum esqe career?  Well... maybe not that bad. I know Bucholz has a better set of tools at his disposal and has piched a no hitter, but I don't see him getting any better from where he is now.  After the no hitter he has struggled immensely at the major league level and Tek (who apparently is a master game caller) couldn't straigten him out.  He has had some solid outings since he has been called up though.