How, oh how, did everyone get so carried away?
Tuesday July 7
The Rosenthal column,." titled "Jays'-Halladay-all-but-gone-in-Toronto"
In which he reports Ricciardi as saying "We have to see what's out there..."I'm not saying we're going to shop him. But if something makes sense, we at least have to listen. We're (leaning) more toward listening than we've ever been." Ricciardi, says Rosenthal:
says the Jays will not trade Halladay if they do not receive the right offer, knowing that the team's best chance of competing next season is with the pitcher at the top of the rotation.
Fair enough, but does Rosenthal actually believe that? No.
C'mon.
Once this process starts, it's almost impossible to stop. Rest assured, the Jays are assembling prospect lists and preparing to assign their scouts to investigate rival farm systems. Halladay is a goner. It's just a matter of when and where.
Bastian summed up the Jays' position:
The Blue Jays are not shopping Roy Halladay. That is one thing general manager J.P. Ricciardi wanted to make clear on Tuesday afternoon. What Ricciardi is willing to do is answer his phone and entertain any trade proposals for Toronto's ace.
Wednesday July 8
Buster Olney writes that Ricciardi has spoken to Halladay about the possibility that he will be presented with trade possiibilities over the next few weeks. Ricciardi says "We're not inclined to move him, but we're going to see what's out there."
Jon Heyman at SI talks about what Toronto is going to want in return:
The Jays will want one MLB-ready position player, one top pitching prospect who'll be ready by next year and at least a third top-of-the-line prospect, one competing executive said he heard. Whatever the requirements, the package will have to be huge in terms of talent
The same day, Keith Law offers his perspective.
It’s completely ridiculous. All that Ricciardi said—this is not his fault, I think he was pretty clear—if somebody calls, we’re going to listen. And if we get a great offer that knocks us over we’ll go to Doc, who has a blanket no-trade clause, and talk to him about it. That’s all he said. He never said ‘we’re going to trade him’, he never said ‘he’s available’... Settle down, kids. He’s not going anywhere right now. Halladay loves pitching in Toronto. He loves the organization, really likes Ricciardi—they’ve got a great relationship—likes working with Arnsberg, the pitching coach, so… from his perspective he’s certainly got no desire to go pitch somewhere else at this point.
Okay, did anyone out there expect Keith Law, and Keith Law alone to get it right?
Tuesday July 14
The Boston Globe reports that the Blue Jays will not allow potential trading partners an opportunity to negotiate with Halladay prior to a deal. By now, Ricciardi is already citing the Erik Bedard deal, saying essentially that if Baltimore got all that for Erik Bedard, we ought to get a whole lot more for Roy Halladay.
Wednesday July 15
Brian Eller talks with assistant GM Alex Anthopolous:
"... everyone assumes that something is going to happen with Roy. We haven't said that at all. It's really the point that [general manager] J.P. [Ricciardi] made. If someone calls and asks about Roy Halladay, we'll listen to what they have to say. It doesn't mean we want to trade him, or we're looking to trade him. We can't emphasize that enough."
I finally comment on the whole business. Alas, all I can do is explain my own confusion:
As far as I can tell, the impetus to make the trade does not seem to be coming from the player. And the organization's position going forward has been for some time that 2009 would be a year to retool and 2010 was the targeted year to make a run for the roses. It's hard to see how trading Halladay helps the team contend in 2010, and it's hard to see how not contending in 2009 and 2010 helps the GM continue in his position. Wouldn't he be better off keeping Halladay and trying to win something in 2010? Unless he's under the impression that he can trade Halladay, finish fourth or fifth this year and the next,and still have his job in 2011.
Tuesday July 21
Ricciardi describes the proposed trade of Halladay as "unlikely"
We've got to be highly motivated to move him, so we haven't been highly motivated yet.
Thursday July 23
Ricciardi notes that Halladay had indicated that he wasn't interested at the moment in signing an extension to his current deal, and professes his surprise that no one else seemed to have that particular information. Although Ricciardi himself actually says:
if we went to him with an extension, he'd probably say, 'I'd rather take a chance to see what free agency is.
He'd probably say? It doesn't even sound like they actually had asked him. They probably had, of course, and who among us (save the lawyers!) is always perfectly precise with how we express ourselves? Especially on live radio. Still - probably not the wisest PR move for the GM. Richard Griffin, naturally, pounces. Ricciardi is promptly accused of laying the groundwork to blame Halladay for whatever happens next.
Friday July 24
After getting pilloried by the local press for his remarks of the previous day, Ricciardi engages in a bit of damage control:
Roy Halladay has not demanded a trade.. We know what he wants and he knows what he wants. He hasn’t given us a list of teams. We’ve run teams by him to see if he has any interest in going there – yes or no. There is no secret, hidden agenda. We’re not playing divide and conquer … and, again, my gut tells me that I just don’t see anything happening.
Saturday July 25
By now the Phillies have emerged as most likely trading partner - the Yankees took themselves out of the discussions almost immediately, Milwaukee and St. Louis are believed to have kicked the tires a little, and Boston is following the proceedings with interest. Ricciardi is reported to have asked the Phillies to part with Kyle Drabek, J.A. Happ, and Dominic Brown in exchange for Halladay. That proves to be too rich for Ruben Amaro's blood.
Sunday July 26
Philadelphia offers J.A. Happ, and three other prospects - outfielder Michael Taylor, pitcher Carlos Carrasco and shortstop Jason Donald. Not good enough. No deal. The Giants deny that they've made inquiries - Brian Sabean says he needs to hold on to his prospects.
Tuesday July 28
Texas steps up to take a run at making a deal. Initial speculation is that Texas will have to sacrifice at least three top prospects - first names mentioned are Neftali Feliz, Derek Holland and Justin Smoak - and because Texas has serious money problems, they'd either like to dump one of their bad contracts on the Jays, or see Toronto pick up some of Halladay's money.
Later that day, Ricciardi is reported to have asked Texas for Holland, Smoak, and Julio Borbon.
Wednesday July 29
Philadelphia sends a lesser package to Cleveland for the reigning Cy Young winner, taking them out of the picture. Ricciardi is quoted as saying:
Nothing is close. Nothing is happening.
Thursday July 30
Boston and the Dodgers are still talking, and Nolan Ryan says that Texas is still making overtures. But Ricciardi isn't budging as far as the Rangers go - his price is now reported to be Holland, Smoak, and two more prospects, probably because the Rangers still want Toronto to pick up some money (the $4.75 million going to Halladay in 2009.)
Friday July 31
T.R Sullivan reports that Halladay himself vetoed the possibility of a trade with Texas.
The Angels make a late bid - the Jays reportedly ask for Erick Aybar, Brandon Wood and one of their rotation starters (Joe Saunders or Jered Weaver)and a "premium prospect," most likely Trevor Reckling. The Angels won't bite that bullet.
Tuesday August 4 (how did I miss this?)
Tom Verducci of SI notes that the Blue Jays came out of the trading deadline with the best pitcher in baseball for the rest of this year and the next, which makes the media conclusion that the Blue Jays were deadline "losers" a little hard to fathom:
Why? Because the media pundits were made to expect a trade of Roy Halladay, so their days of speculation went for naught?
So what did people expect? That the Blue Jays should lower their asking price on the best pitcher in baseball when they didn't have to move him in the first place? Would compromising when they didn't have to do so put them in the "winners" category?
Tuesday July 7
The Rosenthal column,." titled "Jays'-Halladay-all-but-gone-in-Toronto"
In which he reports Ricciardi as saying "We have to see what's out there..."I'm not saying we're going to shop him. But if something makes sense, we at least have to listen. We're (leaning) more toward listening than we've ever been." Ricciardi, says Rosenthal:
says the Jays will not trade Halladay if they do not receive the right offer, knowing that the team's best chance of competing next season is with the pitcher at the top of the rotation.
Fair enough, but does Rosenthal actually believe that? No.
C'mon.
Once this process starts, it's almost impossible to stop. Rest assured, the Jays are assembling prospect lists and preparing to assign their scouts to investigate rival farm systems. Halladay is a goner. It's just a matter of when and where.
Bastian summed up the Jays' position:
The Blue Jays are not shopping Roy Halladay. That is one thing general manager J.P. Ricciardi wanted to make clear on Tuesday afternoon. What Ricciardi is willing to do is answer his phone and entertain any trade proposals for Toronto's ace.
Wednesday July 8
Buster Olney writes that Ricciardi has spoken to Halladay about the possibility that he will be presented with trade possiibilities over the next few weeks. Ricciardi says "We're not inclined to move him, but we're going to see what's out there."
Jon Heyman at SI talks about what Toronto is going to want in return:
The Jays will want one MLB-ready position player, one top pitching prospect who'll be ready by next year and at least a third top-of-the-line prospect, one competing executive said he heard. Whatever the requirements, the package will have to be huge in terms of talent
The same day, Keith Law offers his perspective.
It’s completely ridiculous. All that Ricciardi said—this is not his fault, I think he was pretty clear—if somebody calls, we’re going to listen. And if we get a great offer that knocks us over we’ll go to Doc, who has a blanket no-trade clause, and talk to him about it. That’s all he said. He never said ‘we’re going to trade him’, he never said ‘he’s available’... Settle down, kids. He’s not going anywhere right now. Halladay loves pitching in Toronto. He loves the organization, really likes Ricciardi—they’ve got a great relationship—likes working with Arnsberg, the pitching coach, so… from his perspective he’s certainly got no desire to go pitch somewhere else at this point.
Okay, did anyone out there expect Keith Law, and Keith Law alone to get it right?
Tuesday July 14
The Boston Globe reports that the Blue Jays will not allow potential trading partners an opportunity to negotiate with Halladay prior to a deal. By now, Ricciardi is already citing the Erik Bedard deal, saying essentially that if Baltimore got all that for Erik Bedard, we ought to get a whole lot more for Roy Halladay.
Wednesday July 15
Brian Eller talks with assistant GM Alex Anthopolous:
"... everyone assumes that something is going to happen with Roy. We haven't said that at all. It's really the point that [general manager] J.P. [Ricciardi] made. If someone calls and asks about Roy Halladay, we'll listen to what they have to say. It doesn't mean we want to trade him, or we're looking to trade him. We can't emphasize that enough."
I finally comment on the whole business. Alas, all I can do is explain my own confusion:
As far as I can tell, the impetus to make the trade does not seem to be coming from the player. And the organization's position going forward has been for some time that 2009 would be a year to retool and 2010 was the targeted year to make a run for the roses. It's hard to see how trading Halladay helps the team contend in 2010, and it's hard to see how not contending in 2009 and 2010 helps the GM continue in his position. Wouldn't he be better off keeping Halladay and trying to win something in 2010? Unless he's under the impression that he can trade Halladay, finish fourth or fifth this year and the next,and still have his job in 2011.
Tuesday July 21
Ricciardi describes the proposed trade of Halladay as "unlikely"
We've got to be highly motivated to move him, so we haven't been highly motivated yet.
Thursday July 23
Ricciardi notes that Halladay had indicated that he wasn't interested at the moment in signing an extension to his current deal, and professes his surprise that no one else seemed to have that particular information. Although Ricciardi himself actually says:
if we went to him with an extension, he'd probably say, 'I'd rather take a chance to see what free agency is.
He'd probably say? It doesn't even sound like they actually had asked him. They probably had, of course, and who among us (save the lawyers!) is always perfectly precise with how we express ourselves? Especially on live radio. Still - probably not the wisest PR move for the GM. Richard Griffin, naturally, pounces. Ricciardi is promptly accused of laying the groundwork to blame Halladay for whatever happens next.
Friday July 24
After getting pilloried by the local press for his remarks of the previous day, Ricciardi engages in a bit of damage control:
Roy Halladay has not demanded a trade.. We know what he wants and he knows what he wants. He hasn’t given us a list of teams. We’ve run teams by him to see if he has any interest in going there – yes or no. There is no secret, hidden agenda. We’re not playing divide and conquer … and, again, my gut tells me that I just don’t see anything happening.
Saturday July 25
By now the Phillies have emerged as most likely trading partner - the Yankees took themselves out of the discussions almost immediately, Milwaukee and St. Louis are believed to have kicked the tires a little, and Boston is following the proceedings with interest. Ricciardi is reported to have asked the Phillies to part with Kyle Drabek, J.A. Happ, and Dominic Brown in exchange for Halladay. That proves to be too rich for Ruben Amaro's blood.
Sunday July 26
Philadelphia offers J.A. Happ, and three other prospects - outfielder Michael Taylor, pitcher Carlos Carrasco and shortstop Jason Donald. Not good enough. No deal. The Giants deny that they've made inquiries - Brian Sabean says he needs to hold on to his prospects.
Tuesday July 28
Texas steps up to take a run at making a deal. Initial speculation is that Texas will have to sacrifice at least three top prospects - first names mentioned are Neftali Feliz, Derek Holland and Justin Smoak - and because Texas has serious money problems, they'd either like to dump one of their bad contracts on the Jays, or see Toronto pick up some of Halladay's money.
Later that day, Ricciardi is reported to have asked Texas for Holland, Smoak, and Julio Borbon.
Wednesday July 29
Philadelphia sends a lesser package to Cleveland for the reigning Cy Young winner, taking them out of the picture. Ricciardi is quoted as saying:
Nothing is close. Nothing is happening.
Thursday July 30
Boston and the Dodgers are still talking, and Nolan Ryan says that Texas is still making overtures. But Ricciardi isn't budging as far as the Rangers go - his price is now reported to be Holland, Smoak, and two more prospects, probably because the Rangers still want Toronto to pick up some money (the $4.75 million going to Halladay in 2009.)
Friday July 31
T.R Sullivan reports that Halladay himself vetoed the possibility of a trade with Texas.
The Angels make a late bid - the Jays reportedly ask for Erick Aybar, Brandon Wood and one of their rotation starters (Joe Saunders or Jered Weaver)and a "premium prospect," most likely Trevor Reckling. The Angels won't bite that bullet.
Tuesday August 4 (how did I miss this?)
Tom Verducci of SI notes that the Blue Jays came out of the trading deadline with the best pitcher in baseball for the rest of this year and the next, which makes the media conclusion that the Blue Jays were deadline "losers" a little hard to fathom:
Why? Because the media pundits were made to expect a trade of Roy Halladay, so their days of speculation went for naught?
So what did people expect? That the Blue Jays should lower their asking price on the best pitcher in baseball when they didn't have to move him in the first place? Would compromising when they didn't have to do so put them in the "winners" category?
