I don’t think the Phils are willing to give up both Happ and Drabek. And no way the Phils are giving up their top 2 prospects + a #3-4 starter. I actually think that’s a fine offer from the Phils. Taylor isn’t much of a drop off from Brown (Taylor might not have the ceiling, but he is definitely not a scrub and he’s more proven). They wanted Happ. It’s just Carrasco/Donald instead of Drabek, so the Phils offset the drop from Drabek to Carrasco with Donald. All of those players could be in bigs this year or next.

I think the Phils could throw in someone like Marson or D’Arnaud. I also think Ricciardi is dreaming if he thinks he is going to get anything close to Happ/Carrasco/Taylor/Donald from any other team, let alone Happ/Drabek/Brown. Also consider Halladay stated that he is going to test free agency, meaning an extension is unlikely (and that Ricciardi is refusing to let any team negotiate an extension). If Ricciardi doesn’t get this done in the next week, he is going to get a lot less than what the Phils offered.

And for everyone thinking Halladay will give the Phils 2 more WS rings, there is zero guarantee. For one, the post-season is short, Halladay gets 6 starts at most (more like 4-5). Halladay is completely unproven in postseason play. He’s never been there. Though I doubt it, he could turn out to be like CC. Point is, no one knows. Or, he could pitch lights out and the Phils still lose because Lidge or someone else blows a lead or tie. He could blow out his arm in a month or next year. Don’t get me wrong, I think the Phils should make this deal. I just don’t think they should give up the farm like a Bedard or Colon trade.

Yes, he could. Seems unlikely since the economy will probably be much stronger after 2010 than after this year. But it’s possible. I think it’s likelier than the possibility that Halladay would sign an extension with us. Why would he do that when he could be the top FA on the market after 2010, which would be his last chance to play the market.