FanPost

Silly Season: Halladay Rumors

Promoted from FanPosts. -- WC

No breakfast links today, so I have to vent. These Halladay to Philly rumors are getting more and more ridiculous. According to Jim Salisbury, Ruben Amaro emerged from the GM meetings yesterday and stated, in no uncertain terms, that the team’s three off-season priorities are: "third base, bullpen, bench." When pressed about starting pitching, he reiterated that "we’re more bullpen-intensive than anything else." No Halladay. Case closed, right?

Nope. Despite Ruben’s clear words, Salisbury nevertheless claims that "more than one baseball official" with knowledge of the teams plans insist that the Phils are very much in the running for Halladay. So do we taken Ruben at his word, or he just blowing smoke? The Philadelphia media is certainly doing their part to fan the flames. The Inquirer posted an on-line poll asking whether the team should acquire Halladay without consideration of cost or consequence to the farm. Comcast Sportsnet Philly even speculates that we may be dangling Cole to get the trade done. And the new GM in Toronto has now reiterated his predecessor’s mantra that he’ll have to be "wowed" to trade Halladay. Sigh.

The alleged rationale for pursuing Halladay is the "win-it-now" theory before our core players leave or decline. Basically, we would trade players or top prospects for a one year rental, not unlike what the Brewers previously did with Sabathia. But is there any precedent for Philly ever doing this? Wouldn’t this be a radical departure from the way in which the team does business? This organization is finally firing on all cylinders with great players, a good front office, and a promising farm. I wish Ruben would just say we’re not pursuing Halladay and be done with this nonsense.