National Baseball Report

Halladay thanks Blue Jays and their fans

Former Toronto Blue Jays, and current Philadelphia Phillies, pitcher Roy Halladay took out a full-page ad in the Toronto Sun thanking the Blue Jays and their fans for how they treated him while he was in Toronto.

"My wife Brandy, sons Braden and Ryan and I would like to express our deepest gratitude to the Toronto Blue Jays organization, its incredible fans, and the City of Toronto," Halladay says in the ad.

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"I am sincerely grateful for the incredible support and compassion the Blue Jays fans have always shown me," he states in the ad. "I am in awe of your overwhelming passion."

Blue Jays have big plans for Brett Wallace

Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos said that the team has big plans for Brett Wallace.  The Blue Jays acquired Wallace from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for prospect Michael Taylor who they acquired in the Roy Halladay trade.  Wallace will play first base for the Bue Jays.

Wallace is expected to open 2010 in Triple-A.  He will be in major league Spring Training.  Currently Lyle Overbay is the first baseman for the Blue Jays.  He still has one year left on his contract.  The Blue Jays are hoping that Wallace and Aaron Hill form the right side of their infield for years to come.

The trade for Wallace took a long time to develop.

"It did not come together fast at all," Anthopoulos said. "Oakland did not give this player up easily. I think they deliberated on it for a long time. This was not a quick, 'Yes.' This took weeks. We had a lot of debate, too, because Taylor is a great player as well."

Halladay trade complete

The long awaited trade of Roy Halladay is finally official.  Halladay and $6 million goes from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Philadelphia Phillies.  The Phillies then signed Halladay to a three-year, $60 million contract extension which will run through 2013.  The Blue Jays received minor league players Travis d'Arnaud, Kyle Drabek and Michael Taylor.

"Roy is known as the best pitcher in baseball and will have instant respect," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "He's a No. 1, a blue-chipper and I expect him to stabilize our pitching staff. Roy brings a great work ethic and tremendous character and he'll have a big presence in our clubhouse."

Toronto then sent Taylor to the Oakland Athletics for third baseman Brett Wallace.  The A's received Wallace in the trade which sent Matt Holliday to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2009.

Cliff Lee goes from the Phillies to the Seattle Mariners.  The Phillies receive minor league players Phillippe Aumont, Tyson Gillies and Juan Ramirez.

"When you have the opportunity to acquire a pitcher of Cliff's caliber, immediate effects are [obvious]," Zduriencik said. "Did I think we'd be getting a guy of this caliber? You always set your expectations high. We're really glad it came to fruition."

Halladay trade is close

The Toronto Blue Jays appear close to finally trading pitcher Roy Halladay.  The potential trade would involve the Philadelphia Phillies and the Seattle Mariners.  The Blue Jays would send Halladay to the Phillies.  The Phillies would send pitcher Cliff Lee to the Seattle Mariners.  The Blue Jays would receive prospects from both the Phillies and the Mariners.

The specifics of the trade took some twists and turns on Monday. The trade's latest structure would send Phillies outfielder Michael Taylor, Phillies catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud and a Phils pitcher -- either Kyle Drabek or J.A. Happ -- to Toronto, sources said. And indications Monday night were that that pitcher was likely to be Drabek. Under that scenario, the Phillies would not have to include their top position-player prospect, Domonic Brown, and they would receive Seattle's top pitching prospect, Phillippe Aumont, who originally appeared ticketed for Toronto.

The Phillies also would receive one other prospect -- believed to be 21-year-old outfielder Tyson Gillies -- from Seattle in exchange for Lee, who is a year away from free agency.

Halladay will not approve a trade after reporting to Spring Training

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay said that any trade involving him must be done before he reports to Spring Training or he will not approve it.  Halladay has a full no-trade clause in his contract.  Halladay will be a free agent after the 2010 season, so the Blue Jays must trade him before Spring Training or only get draft pick compensation for him.  Halladay has previously said that he will not re-sign with the Blue Jays.  He wants to have a chance to win a World Series and does not see that happening in Toronto.

Source: Buster Olney - ESPN.com

Heyman talks winter's movers and shakers

Jon Heyman released his latest article:

• Theo Epstein is at the top of a list of 20 movers and shakers for this winter.
• The Detroit Tigers asked for Brandon Morrow and Shawn Kelley from the Seattle Mariners for pitcher Edwin Jackson but the Mariners declined.
• The Tigers are not excited about trading center fielder Curtis Granderson but there are some in the organization concerned about his range.
• The Tigers might have a hard time trading Miguel Cabrera with a $21 million salary.
• There are at least 12 teams interested in Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman.
• It appears that Colorado Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd will remain with the club.
• The Toronto Blue Jays want Casey Kelley from the Boston Red Sox or Jesus Montero from the New York Yankees in addition to established major league pitchers in any deal involving Roy Halladay.

Source: Jon Heyman - Sports Illustrated

Halladay willing to waive no-trade for Yankees

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay has reportedly told the team that he would waive his no-trade clause to go to the New York Yankees.  Not that they are considered possible targets, but apparently Halladay hs previously refused to be traded to the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers.

Blue Jays' GM Alex Anthopoulos has previously said that he would be willing to trade Halladay to any team, any those in the A.L. East.  Anthopoulos has said that refusing to consider offers from teams in their division if they are the best offer would be unfair to the organization.  He is focused on making the Blue Jays better and not worrying about it making other teams in the same division better.

Source: Bob Elliott - Toronto Sun

Red Sox trying to beat Yankees to get Halladay

The Boston Red Sox are trying to beat the New York Yankees to trade for Roy Halladay.  They would like to have the deal done before the winter meetings.  Trading for Halladay will require more than one top prospect and agreeing to a contract extension with Halladay.

The Yankees have organizational meetings planned for next week in Florida.  At that time, it is expected that GM Brian Cashman will learn what his budget is for 2010.  Cashman recently made it known to agents that he will not make any offers until after those meetings.  Cashman is looking into some trades but cannot do anything big until he knows the budget.

The Red Sox would likely have to include Clay Buchholz in a Halladay trade.  The Yankees would have to include either Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes and a top prospect like Austin Jackson or Jesus Montero.

Source: Mark Feinsand and Bill Madden - New York Daily News

Angels and Dodgers looking into Halladay

The Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers are both looking into acquiring Toronto Blue Jays' pitcher Roy Halladay.  The possibility of the Dodgers acquiring Halladay is considered a long shot at this time.  The Dodgers would have to give up a young pitcher, perhaps Chad Billingsly, and the Dodgers are not likely to do that.

The Angels tried to get Halladay at the 2009 trade deadline but the Angels would not give up Erick Aybar.  It appears that new Blue Jays' GM Alex Anthopoulos is willing to make a trade that does not include Aybar.  Anthopoulos is also willing to allow teams to negotiate with Halladay and agree on a new contract before making a trade.  This will increase what the Blue Jays would get in return for the pitcher.

Source: Mike DiGiovanna - Los Angeles Times

Late Monday Links

Here are some stories to end your Monday:

• Dan Le Batard says that fans don't need to roll their eyes when Chris Coghlan gives glory to God.
• Joe Frisaro discusses Cody Ross' progress on defense and at the plate.
• Morgan Campbell reports that Roy Halladay's desire for a trade is not new.
• Ron Chimelis reports that the Boston Red Sox haven't figured Jason Bay out at all.
• Larry Stone reports that the Seattle Mariners have added three new pro scouts.
• Dick Kaegel reports that Kansas City Royals' first baseman Billy Butler is happy with his progress at the position.
• Jennifer Langosh reports that the Pittsburgh Pirates are keeping an eye on the catching market.