Lets play GM

But, if the ANgels made a trade for Halladay, being realistic, Toronto would ask and want one of those two pitchers. Our middle relief is piss poor, but in a 5 game series with Roy and Lackey, both pitchers are capable of throwing 8 to 9 innings.

2. Zach Duke and John Grabow for Kendrick, Aybar, Denham, and Smith

The problem with this trade, besides in my opinion your giving up too much, Pittsburgh already has a starting Shortstop & 2nd baseman. You would have to include a 3rd team inorder to trade Kendrick & Aybar to Pittsburgh

You really think Halladay is worth Wood AND Aybar AND Reckling AND Conger AND Smith? I’m not sure even Ricciardi would have the consience to do that deal.

-if we trade napoli then i think we should let the hitter bat on the road instead of mathis (also getting rid of the greatest slugging catcher of all time so far would be a mistake)
-aybar is juts now rounding into form and is playing amazingly, his numbers on offense are the same and then when you include the age factor and the arm/glove I think trading him would be a mistake
-o’sullivan is emerging as the best young prospect/starter, we dont need to trade him

i can see trading aybar and possibly o’sully but not both and definately not naps

Fail. Go away with this insanity.

I also don’t understand the proposition that Wood is untouchable.

He doesn’t become a free agent until 2012, which means they can have a closer for cheap for the next two seasons. He makes just over $1.2M now, so it isn’t as if he’s a burden to the payroll like Peavy.

our REPLY key. it is cool and fun to use. With the REPLY key you can type less and post MORE. And it is FREE here on Halos Heaven!

The season ain’t over, champ. There is the small matter of winning the AL West, as well as positioning the team for the best record and securing home-field advantage.

So let’s review: We’re still short a legit 5th starter, and the #3 and #4 are looking pretty iffy.

The smart move is not to trade your #3 or #4 for a #1, still leaving a hole at #5, but to find a way to bring in a #3 and move your current #3 and #4 down a notch in the rotation.

Why? Because it isn’t necessary to mortgage the team’s future for one season plus a few months of Roy Halladay. The Angels could make a move on either Arroyo or Harang from the Reds and give up far less, still receiving the services of a player under contract through 2010 (both with options for 2011).

Harang is having a tough year after winning 16 in both 06 and 07, and leading the NL in strikeouts in 06. While the record doesn’t look impressive, he’s pitching much better than it looks. In fact, over 2/3 of his starts, he’s averaging 6.2 IP with a 3:1 K:BB and an ERA of just over 2—and he’s only 5-4 in those games. He is a victim of weak offense and terrible defense. He’s owed $12.5M in 2010 with a mutual option for $14M in 2011, or a $2.5M buyout. He would blossom in an environment where the players behind him played solid defense and scored him some runs.

It’s not just that this is less than the $15M salary of Halladay for 2010, but that there is a pathway to another year in 2011 if the player earns it, and the number and quality of the players given in exchange would be far less; an offer of Aybar and a AA-level position player would probably get it done. Such a deal would provide the Reds a needed SS and needed salary relief.

Palmer would be a good regular 5th starter only if Soth and Butcher could bring themselves to believe in his abilities.

Go Ducks, I am with you, we have solid pitchers, but solid does not win play off series. We need a dominant pitcher for the play offs and imagine Lackey be our #2?

Mr. Kaplan, I am actually impressed, with your write up on the defense of the Cowboy. Its a compliment, good job.

Lackey has a career 3.39 ERA in 58+ postseason innings. By contrast, Josh Beckett’s postseason ERA is 2.90 – better, but not “off the charts” better. Jered Weaver, in limited action, has pitched decently in the playoffs, too.

Yes, Santana and Saunders struggled last year, but check this out:

Would you rather have this “ace” and his 7.92 postseason ERA? Or this guy’s 5.82 playoff ERA?

Look, if we got Halladay, sure, it would make us better. But I do not agree that we need him at ANY cost. We DO have an ace.

i think he would be a lot better than halladay and cheaper
plus he’s a lot younger and if he is able to pitch as well as he can and leads us in the playoffs, he might sign an extension

And the D’backs aren’t going anywhere, anytime soon. Ignore the Dodgers, who are playing at a level which is almost unconscious. Arizona is 11 games behind #2 Colorado and 10 behind #3 SF. The team doesn’t need an ace, it needs a transfusion.

If I was running their show, I would offer Haren to the Angels for the package similar to that which was rumored to have been demanded for Halladay. Arizona doesn’t need a SS (Stephen Drew holds that spot) nor at 3B (where Mark Reynolds is now), but the team can use pitching and OF help. JerWe or Saunders, Burjos, Sean Rodriguez, O’Sullivan, Jepsen…start from that pile and then refine the offer.

In return the Angels would get a younger pitcher who is under contract through 2012 (with a team option in 2013). He’s 10-5, but for decent offensive support and a better bullpen he’d be a 15 game winner right now. He has 3 complete games, the lowest ERA in the NL, and he’s averaging 7+ IP per start. His WHIP? Just .84.

He is as dominant as Halladay, too. And did I mention he’s from Monterey Park and a grad of Pepperdine? Talk about the marketing opportunities….

THAT is worth giving up key players in your team’s future. Not for a year and a few months of Halladay.