Should The Sox And Cubs Look Into Halladay?

Earlier today I wrote over at FanHouse about the fact that the Toronto Blue Jays are once again willing to listen to offers on Roy Halladay. Now while Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal seems to think that Halladay is "as good as gone" from Toronto, I'm a bit skeptical about it myself.

This isn't the first time that J.P. Ricciardi has said he's willing to listen to offers on Roy Halladay, just as any general manager in the history of sports has been willing to listen to offers on any player. It's their job after all.

Still, just because I'm not convinced that the Jays are going to move Halladay by the end of the month, that doesn't mean I don't think both Jim Hendry and Kenny Williams should be hitting up Ricciardi's cell. That is their job after all.

Now I have no doubt that both the Sox and Cubs would be incredibly interested in adding Halladay to their rosters. I mean, the guy is 141-68 with a 3.47 ERA in his career and has struck out 3.17 batters for every one he's walked (1385 Ks vs 437 walks). Oh, and he's won a Cy Young back in 2003.

Should they go after him though? If so, can they even get him?

I'll start with the Cubs. Here's what Rosenthal has to say about that scenario.

They were all over Peavy at the winter meetings, and the impending completion of their sale should remove any restrictions for GM Jim Hendry.

Still, the Cubs could not satisfy the Padres even after they tried to involve a third club, and their best chip — third baseman Josh Vitters — is still at Class A.

Very good points. Yes the Cubs would like him, but what would they give up for him? Now I floated the idea of sending Carlos Zambrano to Toronto for Halladay because while Zambrano has the stuff to be an ace, Halladay actually is one. The problem there is that Zambrano makes a lot of money. He's owed $17.875 million in 2010 and 2011, and then bumps up to $18 million in 2012 with a $19.25 option for 2013.

There's no way Toronto takes on that contract because the only reason they'd even consider moving Halladay is for financial relief. It sure as hell isn't to make the team better. So we know that whoever the Cubs would send to Toronto, they'd have to come cheap.

So maybe they can put together a package with Vitters, another prospect and maybe Sean Marshall and Randy Wells. Now, personally, I wouldn't want to move Wells. I really like what I've seen from him this season and I could see him being a solid #3 or #4 in the Cubs rotation for years to come, and do so pretty cheaply. Something we can't discount with new ownership getting ready to take charge.

Plus, at the end of the day, is another starting pitcher really what the Cubs need at this point? They're already fourth in the National League with a 3.85 ERA, so it's not like they're hurting.

So while I don't think it would hurt the Cubs to give Toronto a call, I don't think they should overspend for him either. It just wouldn't be worth it.

Now how about the White Sox? Here's what Rosenthal has to say about that.

Ken Williams arranged a deal for Jake Peavy; why wouldn't he act on Halladay?

Williams' offer for Peavy, centered around left-handers Aaron Poreda and Clayton Richard, probably would not be enough. But if the White Sox were willing to move superstar-in-waiting Gordon Beckham, look out.

Okay, you lost me at Gordon Beckham. I'm not moving that kid for anybody right now. And I say this even though I've been longing for Halladay in a Sox uniform for years now. Now if they could package Poreda, Richard and a couple of other players -- maybe Tyler Flowers? -- I'd be totally down with that.

The question there is whether or not the Sox would want to commit to the $30 million Halladay has coming to him in the next year and a half. While they were willing to spend that money on Peavy, he's only 28. Halladay is 32.

Which brings me to my other concern about Doc. He's not only on the wrong side of 30, but he has had some injuries in recent years, and during his eleven full seasons he's only managed to make 30 starts in a year six times. Granted, when he has made those starts he's been amazing, but as he gets older it only becomes more likely he's hurt again.

So I guess that while getting Halladay to Chicago for either side looks like a wonderful idea, in execution, it may not make that much sense. Of course if news breaks that the Sox get him that won't stop me from wetting my pants in excitement.

Adding him to either rotation in this city immediately vaults that team to playoff force.