Take A Halladay

Dan:

This isn't going to happen. There is absolutely, positively no chance of it.

BUT . . .

The Boston Globe's Eric Wilbur has an interesting piece today outlining a scenario in which the Sox might be able to get ace pitcher Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays. (http://www.boston.com/sports/columnists/wilbur/2009/07/07/the_roy_factor/)

Except for a couple of freak injuries - including a fractured leg from a line drive - Halladay has been the best pitcher in the game this decade. The only reason you don't know it is those injuries and that he has played on a mediocre team. If he had been on the Sox or Yanks, or even a franchise like the Twins that has made the playoffs a few times in recent years, fans would recognize his greatness.

Despite the weak squad around him for years, Halladay has dominated opponents and been amazingly durable; a pitcher who throws complete games like this is the 1950s. And he shows no signs of slowing down. He is signed til the end of 2010, and wants to pitch for a contender. He is the kind of talent it would be worth packaging Clay Bucholz with Michael Bowden or Josh Bard to get. That's a lot of potential talent to give up, but you always give up "potential" to get a sure thing when that sure thing is the best in the game.

Again, this won't happen. It's hard to envision the Jays dealing Halladay within the division. And they are a team that wants to win now, not in five years. Still, it's fun to think about . . .