Halladay Tosses Perfect Game

Roy Halladay has thrown the 20th perfect game in Major League baseball history, the second in Phils history. Halladay dominated the Marlins to say the least, 27 up, 27 down. He struck out 11. The amazing thing is that Halladay went to three ball counts many times during the game, and every time he prevailed. Many Marlin hitters stood dumbfounded as the Halladay painted the corner with called third strikes.

The Phillies won the game 1-0, so Roy had no room for error. The run did the Phillies scored came on an error by Cameron Maybin. Maybe seeing the performance of a lifetime from Halladay will motivate the offense, which has been struggling mightily recently. 

As with most perfect games, the defense did help out Halladay. Juan Castro made several nice plays at thrid, including the one that ended the game. Wilson Valdez made a great throw from short to nail a Marlin runner on a bang-bang play. Both Castro and Valdez have performed great in the field while filling in for the regulars.

Think of how great a moment this is for Roy. For the rest of his life, he will be able to say that he pitched a perfect game. A perfect game is the ultimate one-game achievement for a pitcher. So many times, a unknown pitcher throws a no-hitter, and you'll never hear about him again. But for Halladay, his perfecto will be a footnote on his amazing career, instead of his 15 minutes of fame.

Phillies Talks with Jays Sour

        The Phillies and the Blue Jays have made no progress in discussing a trade involving Roy Halladay according to reports.  Apparently there has been some animosity between both teams according to some reports.  The deadline is four days away and it seems like every day opinions change on whether the Phils will get Halladay.

        Today's stories would indicate that the Philies won't get the Blue Jays' ace, but it changes every day.  Jayson Stark of ESPN is reporting that the talks between the teams are "not going well," citing a source with close knowledge of the negotiations.  Stark writes that the Jays still want both J. A. Happ and Kyle Drabek (who gave up a 1rst inning home run in a game going on right know) and the Phils are adamant about keeping one.

        The Phillies have a scout watching Cliff Lee of the Indians, who appears to be their "plan B" to Halladay.  Stark reports that Lee is "gathering steam" with the Phillies front office, citing a source familiar with their thinking.

        Toronto GM J. P. Riccardi said last week that tomorrow would be their deadline to trade away Halladay.  According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, they will take offers for Halladay all the way up to the actual trade deadline.  Sherman also reported that the Jays would want at least one player in the deal that could join the team right away.  That would mean J. A. Happ for the Phils.

        According to Todd Zolecki, the Phillies have released a statement saying their is no animosity in their point of view between them any other team they are negotiating with.  

        

        

Jays Turn Down Phils' Offer for Halladay

        The Phillies rejected the Blue Jays offer yesterday.  This time Toronto turned down the Phillies offer for Roy Halladay.  Yesterday the Jays said they would give Halladay up for J. A. Happ, Dominic Brown, and Kyle Drabek.  The Phillies rejected that offer.  They don't want to give up both Happ and Drabek.  

        The Phillies counter offer was Happ, Carlos Carrasco, Michael Taylor, and Jason Donald.  The Jays declined the offer according to Jayson Stark of ESPN.

        Stark reported the the Jays need to be "wowed" by an offer for Halladay.  Now, most of this is just posturing.  The Phillies may eventually include Drabek and Happ in a deal for Halladay, but the deadline is still five days away and both the Phillies and the Jays are looking for the best for their team.

        In Stark's report he writes that a source told him that Blue Jays GM J.P. Riccardi told Phillies GM Rueben Amaro Jr. that the Jays are "very comfortable" keeping Halladay.  This does not mean the Phils have given up on getting Halladay.

        Stark writes that sources tell him the the Phillies front office "still wants to make this deal."  They just "want to [the Blue Jays] to consider other options."  

        The Phillies are looking at Cliff Lee of the Indians as a Plan B to Halladay.  Lee won the AL CY Young last year, but he is just 6-9 this year.  He has pitched better than that, as his 3.17 ERA would indicate.

Phillies Turn Down Jays, Still Negotiating

        The Blue Jays offer was Kyle Drabek, J. A. Happ, and Dominic Brown for Roy Halladay.  According to Jayson Stark of ESPN, the Phillies were not willing to give up that much.  Apparently, the Phillies will not give up Happ and Drabek.

        The Phillies would want to substitute either Drabek or Happ with another pitcher, Carlos Carrasco.  According to Andy Martino, a Blue Jays assistant was on hand to watch Carrasco pitch 6 innings and give up 6 runs... Not a good impression Mr. Carrasco.

        The Phillies will have to include 4 or 5 players in a deal for Halladay if they do not put both Happ and Drabek in the deal.  Those players could include Carlos Carrasco, Lou Marson, and/or Jason Donald.  We're just going to have to wait and see.

        This deal better get done.  The Phillies are in a perfect situation to aquire Roy Halladay.  They have good enough prospects to get him, and they have enough prospects that, if they get him, their farm system is still not depleted.  If the Phillies can't make this deal, they can't make a deal with anybody!

     

Phillies Pushing for Halladay

        While Matt Holliday was traded earlier today, Roy Halladay hasn't been moved... yet.  Blue Jays officials have been giving mixed signals all week, as have the Phillies.  But it now looks like that, if Halladay is moved, it will be to the Fightin' Phils.

        Halladay is starting for the Jays tonight, and Phillies representatives will be there, according to Danny Knobler of CBS.  Officials from the Red Sox and Brewers reportedly have left Toronto.  The two teams apparently still in the Halladay sweepstakes are the Phils and maybe the Dodgers.

        Also according to Knobler, a person involved said, "It's obvious they have to move him now." 

It looks like everything maybe falling into place for the Phils.

        John Heyman of SI tweeted that the Phillies will give up J.A. Happ or Kyle Drabek for Halladay.  He believes the Phils will get Halladay.

        The Phillies probably would also have to give up Michael Taylor or Dominic Brown, Carlos Carrasco (whom the Jays are scouting tonight), and infielder Jason Donald.  Hopefully, the Phillies will pull off this deal because it gives them the best chance to win the World Series this year.

Who Needs Halladay when You Have Happ?

        The Phillies beat the Marlins again today behind the pitching of J. A. Happ.  The Phillies swept three games from the Marlins down in Miami.  Happ pitched great, pitching 7 shutout innings.  He is 7-o this season with a 2.68 ERA.  Happ has been the pleasant surprise in the Phillies rotation.

        Happ has been mentioned as possible trade bait for Roy Halladay.  By the way, Halladay pitched a complete game today, giving up only one run against Boston.  I'm not sure the Phillies should give up Happ for Halladay.

        Happ's success isn't a fluke.  When you go undefeated in 7 decisions with a below-3 ERA, your not just a flash in the pan.  Happ is a good pitcher who can excel at the Major League level.

        With today's win the Phillies have a 7 game lead in the NL East.  The Phillies are arguably the hottest team in baseball.  They have won 8 straight ball games and 12 out of 15 this month.  Maybe the Phils don't need to give up their farm for Halladay.  It's not as if getting Halladay will guarantee the Phillies another World Series.

        The Phillies interest in Halladay is as high as ever.  According to Ken Fidlin of the Toronto Sun, Phillies adviser (and former GM) Pat Gillick was in Toronto to watch Halladay toss his complete game.  Also reportedly there were executives from Brewers, Rangers, and White Sox.

        

        

My Thoughts on Halladay

        Over the last week, there has been a lot of talk (mostly rumors) about the Phillies possibly trading for Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay.  The Blue Jays recently informed the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees that they have little chance at getting Halladay, according to Jon Heyman of SI.  Heyman also reports that the Jays haven't returned a call made by the Yankees regarding Halladay.

        The Phillies are still very interested in Halladay.  According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Blue Jays scouts are all over the Phillies minor league system.  

        If you have listened to sports radio in Philadelphia during the last week, you inevitably have heard possibly deals for Roy Halladay.  I heard deal that had the Phillies sending Raul Ibanez and J.A. Happ to the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay and Vernon Wells.  I don't think the Phillies would do that deal because they would be eating a lot of salary.  Also, I believe that the Jays want more that one prospect.

        The Blue Jays want to trade Wells but have said that Wells does not have to be included in a Halladay deal.  The Jays may be interested in either Jayson Werth and Shane Victorino.  I would trade Werth but not Victorino.

        Jon Heyman reports that some MLB executives believe the Phillies have to give up Kyle Drabek in order to get Halladay.  Drabek has been named an "untouchable" by the Phils.

Pedro on His Way to Philly

      A report from NBC 10 in Philadelphia and from Todd Zolecki of MLB.com is saying that Pedro Martinez is coming to Philly to take a physical.  If Pedro passes the physical, he will join the Phillies organization.   He will likely not join the rotation right away because he needs to get his arm ready.

      So, the Phillies will likely sign Pedro but that doesn't mean they are done obtaining starting pitching.  Roy Halladay rumors have been flaring up all week and some sources (including ESPN) have called the Phillies "frontrunners" for trading for the ace.