Ladies and gentlemen, the Doctor has left the building.
The Jays/Phillies/Mariners/A’s trade has all but been finalised, with Philadelphia getting Halladay plus US$6 million, with the Jays getting 3 former first round draft picks in return.
It’s sad to see Roy leave, but again, I’m excited for him to go to a contender where he has the chance to win a ring or two that he fully deserves. Lets be honest, he was never going to get that ring in Toronto. Good luck to him in Philly where he’s dedication and work ethic will likely rub off on Cole Hamels, making him into a true #2 starter.
Philly could have opted to have Cliff Lee and Halladay at the sharp end of the rotation for one year, but instead chose to strengthen for the long term. Had they elected to keep Lee, they would have almost certainly lost him to the Yankees or Red Sox and have gotten nothing in return. With this trade they cement their dominance in the NL East for 3 more years.
It’s always a sad day when a team looses the face of their franchise. Halladay is not only the face of the Blue Jays (having played all of his big league career with the Jays), he is also arguable the best active pitcher in major league baseball. That said, it’s not all doom and gloom, the Jays will be get 3 legitimate prospects for the future.
Drabek (22) a RHP was a Phillies first round pick in 2006, Wallace (23) a LH hitter was selected in the First round by St. Louis and D’Arnaud (20) was a first round supplemental pick by the Phillies in 2007.
Thankfully Roy didn’t end up in the AL East with the Yanks or the Red Sox.
