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Alex Anthopoulos, Talkin' Jays Baseball

By Drew Silva [November 7, 2009 at 4:22pm CST]

Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos held a press conference with several reporters this afternoon to discuss the club's offseason strategy. Toronto's FAN 590 has the audio. Here are some of the highlights...

There is no "defined number" for payroll next season and ownership is prepared to provide funds if the right "baseball opportunity" arises.
Anthopoulos believes the Jays "can be up there with the Anaheims and the Chicagos, and even the Bostons" with a "sustained model of success" and financial backing from ownership.
But he thinks building a team through free agency isn't the way to go. Building a core through good drafting and scouting is the strategy Toronto will try to employ.
Anthopoulos is actively involved in trade talks and with free agents to improve the team, but won't do anything to jeopardize the future makeup of the club.
He has been aware of the availability of every player that has been traded so far this offseason, and directly involved with talks for some.
Anthopoulos said he has to be open minded about listening to trades for Roy Halladay this winter, but that Roy is "a guy we want to have here."
That said, Halladay "wants to win" and the Blue Jays were a 75-win team last year. "We haven't met his criteria for winning... and his timeline for winning might not match ours." A contract extension seems unlikely.
The Blue Jays are "not actively shopping" any of their current players at this moment.

Full Story | Comments (51) | Categories: Roy Halladay | Toronto Blue Jays

Comments

I have to imagine they will move Halladay. They made a big mistake not moving him this year.

Posted by: joemorgan=#1 | November 07, 2009 at 04:28 PM

They made a mistake by not trading Halladay at the deadline, and they will make another mistake if they wait until next year's deadline.

Posted by: brian91388 | November 07, 2009 at 04:33 PM

Agreed, joe. The whole "timeline" comment essentially spells out a Halladay trade in the near future.

The lack of impact free agent pitchers on the market this season combined with the number of teams that need starting pitching should result in a nice haul of prospects for the Jays.

Posted by: parrothead8 | November 07, 2009 at 04:36 PM

if DOC is available, the mets should at least see what it will take to get him and dont give me (other fans) the crap about not having the prospects to get him, becuase they do.

Posted by: metsfan08 | November 07, 2009 at 04:37 PM

The fact of the matter is, the Jays are going to need AT LEAST 2 top 50 draft pick talent for Halladay, because that is what they will get if they let him leave via free agency.

Will someone offer that for 1 year of Halladay??

Having him on a young staff for 1 more year and getting 2 draft picks should work out ok for the Blue Jays.

I am not even sure how bad a mistake it was not to trade him this deadline. We only really know what the Phillies traded for Lee and I wouldn't trade Halladay for that, and the rumoured Boston offer of all those players was dismissed by all sides as wrong.

Posted by: quintjs | November 07, 2009 at 04:38 PM

if DOC is available, the mets should at least see what it will take to get him and dont give me (other fans) the crap about not having the prospects to get him, becuase they do.

Posted by: metsfan08 | November 07, 2009 at 04:37 PM

Actually, they really don't have prospects in the system. Minaya did a terrible job drafting and failed to build around their core players when their salaries were extremely low. Now, you have Reyes and Wright who are getting extremely expensive and Beltran who could very easily be worth the amount he's being payed but is injured to often and when he is healthy he doesn't play up to par with his ability.

Posted by: bosox15 | November 07, 2009 at 04:43 PM

They were offered Happ, Donaldson, Carrasco and Taylor. That is significantly better than what the Indians received.

Posted by: joemorgan=#1 | November 07, 2009 at 04:47 PM

The Met's definitely have the prospects to get Doc. The issue is the Mets farm system would be all but empty after they traded for Halladay.

The Jays really need to move Halladay for the top package ASAP. The longer they wait, the less value they get in return. Doc is a contender and I see no shot at him being back on the Jays in 2011 considering the way the division is shaping up.

The Yanks and Red Sox are still at the top, a very talented Rays team is behind them, and the O's have a world of talent and it is developing faster than expected. I honestly see the Jays in last place next year regardless of whether Halladay is traded or not. They need to go into full rebuilding mode and hope that they will have a lot of good talent by the time Vernon Wells contract expires.

Posted by: yanks09 | November 07, 2009 at 04:47 PM

"Actually, they really don't have prospects in the system. Minaya did a terrible job drafting"

Uhh, F-Mart, Niese, Mejia, Holt, Flores, Havens, Tejada, Davis.

It would be pretty damn easy to put together a package for Doc with that bunch.

Posted by: melonis rex | November 07, 2009 at 04:49 PM

Sorry I meant Donald.

Posted by: joemorgan=#1 | November 07, 2009 at 04:49 PM

the Jays tried to give the Mets Doc back in July

Posted by: JoeyE | November 07, 2009 at 04:51 PM

"The fact of the matter is, the Jays are going to need AT LEAST 2 top 50 draft pick talent for Halladay, because that is what they will get if they let him leave via free agency."

nobody knows what type of prospect a player will become after he is drafted. The Phils were offering legit prospects and a possible ace in Happ. The Jays definitely lost out by not taking the deal.

Yeah they will get a first round pick and a compensation round pick. But who knows what their picks will develop into. You might get a future star, but you have the same chance at getting a bench player or career minor leaguer. The chances that draft picks develop into good MLB players is extremely low, and the Phils were already offering a good SP (Happ) who has the potential to be an ace in addition to 3 of their better prospects

Posted by: yanks09 | November 07, 2009 at 04:54 PM

Rex-
I can't imagine that F-mart or Niese can be considered center pieces in a Halladay trade. I would take Happ and Taylor over those two any day of the week.
If someone would take on wells I'm sure the Jays would practically give him away.

Posted by: joemorgan=#1 | November 07, 2009 at 04:58 PM

@ joemorgan=#1

Niese dominated AAA and held his own in MLB (more bad luck and poor defense than anything else). The injury brings down his value, but he's exactly the type of player the Jays should demand in a Doc deal.

Niese, Mejia, and Flores has to be a good starting point. Not better than Happ/Taylor, but still a very solid way to go, depending on how you value Flores.

Posted by: melonis rex | November 07, 2009 at 05:07 PM

But then what do the Mets fans who have a better feel for prospects feel on that (nrmax?)

Posted by: melonis rex | November 07, 2009 at 05:12 PM

The thing is, Halladay is more of a defined player than Cliff Lee, Doc has never not been outstanding his entire time in the game. He's very much in conversation for the HOF, which is why is bounty needs to be at least 2 top 50 prospects, or young emerging talents.

Now the Mets showed their hand in the Santana trade: their prospects are NOT to be trusted. Other than Reyes and Wright, have ANY mets farmhands (either with NYM or on another team) been anything close to a superstar? No.

Halladay demands superstar potential, do Flores, Holt, F-Mart & Neise have that said potential? Nope. I see no "cant-miss" names in there, I in fact see garbage in comparison to what the Rangers, Rays or A's could give them. Dont discount any of those teams out, the A's got Matt Holliday in the exact same way, if they were to offer Trevor Cahill, Tyson Ross and Josh Donaldson, that offer blows the roof off anything the sad Mets farm system can offer.

Mets fans, just because they are names in your system, doesnt give them any real value to anyone else. Your team is near the bottom of the barrel when you compare them to the teams with actual farm systems.

Posted by: PL | November 07, 2009 at 05:21 PM

Their prospects are not to be trusted? Wow talk about a silly thing to say, I didn't know that Philip Humber was the same player as Jenry Mejia.

I think the mets can get a deal done for Halladay but they would really have to give up quantity, even the surest of mets prospects don't look all that sure.

Posted by: The_Bunk | November 07, 2009 at 05:25 PM

if halladay were to be traded which i most likely, he would go to a contender no? whats the purpose of leaving the blue jays to go to the A's? if the angels lose lackey to free agency i can see them making a run at him. yankees and red sox will be involved bc they are involded in everything. depending on the rangers financial capabilities and their FA signings i can see them getting involved.the mets will probably throw their name into the mix but i dont see them being huge players. other than those teams i cant see halladay going anywhere else

Posted by: Timmy B | November 07, 2009 at 05:31 PM

PL:

you must be a mets hater, just by the way you write.

these prospects arent just names in our system, they are our top prospects, they might be superstars or they might not be, thats why they are PROSPECTS.

ike davis was one of the best 1B in the minors, mejia has ace stuff, just needs time to mature as a pitcher. niese is MLB ready and will be in the mets rotation next year, if he is not traded.

Posted by: metsfan08 | November 07, 2009 at 05:35 PM

Mets have decent prospects not great...
F Mart is a disaster..so far..
Mijares is raw a sh+t

Jays should do Dave Wright for Doc straight up ..

Posted by: cortez101 | November 07, 2009 at 05:36 PM

I meant Mejia .... and he is still raw...

Posted by: cortez101 | November 07, 2009 at 05:37 PM

Met fans are in denial when it comes to evaluating talent in their own system. The fact that they actually think they have the goods to get Halladay is hilarious. Your top prospect is an injury-prone outfielder who is EXTREMELY overrated to begin with. Give it up; Halladay is NOT going to the Mets.

Posted by: m26555 | November 07, 2009 at 05:38 PM

PL:

you must be a mets hater, just by the way you write.

these prospects arent just names in our system, they are our top prospects, they might be superstars or they might not be, thats why they are PROSPECTS.

ike davis was one of the best 1B in the minors, mejia has ace stuff, just needs time to mature as a pitcher. niese is MLB ready and will be in the mets rotation next year, if he is not traded.

Niese does not have anything that should interest the Jays....
He SCREAMS league average arm to me...
I'd rather let Doc walk for picks than get Niese or whatever luggage the NY teams or Boston is trying to offload.... lol..

Posted by: cortez101 | November 07, 2009 at 05:40 PM

metsfan08 -

Didn't we also hear that Pelfrey had "ace stuff?" Give me a break.

Posted by: m26555 | November 07, 2009 at 05:41 PM

"a good SP (Happ) who has the potential to be an ace in addition to 3 of their better prospects"

Ok, put down the pipe. you & Timmy need to lay off the green. Potential to be an ace?? A bonafide ACE? Really? The guy had a great year & no one can take that away - but c'mon. No one projects JA Happ to be an ace & 3 of their better prospects? Taylor, yes. Carrasco, no. Donald no. The Jays asked for their best prospects - Dominic Brown & Kyle Drabek as well as Happ. Carlos Carrasco, Jason Donald were the Phils 2nd tier guys. The Tribe was completely stupid to deal Lee for the prospect they got.
Carrasco's a mess (though he certainly could figure it out, Donald projects as a utility guy, Marson might only be a back up catcher & Jason Knapp has a brutal arm slot & scouts are more than a little concerned about that.

Posted by: deeselig | November 07, 2009 at 05:42 PM

Lets be honest though, the Mets don't have the highest ranked farm system, and the main thing in favour of the Mets trading for Halladay is they are not in the AL - ala Santana.

No one knows how prospects turn out yanks09 - but Happ isn't an established Ace - he is still a prospect because you yourself use potential. Any first round draft pick is a pontential Ace. Happ just has proven a bit more and therefore a little less risk. That little less risk isn't worth losing out on another quality player.

Also, there is an issue trading one of the best pitchers over the last 5 years for the 2nd or 3rd best pitching prospect of another team which is all the Phillies were offering.

Posted by: quintjs | November 07, 2009 at 05:47 PM

HAPP IS GOING TO BE AN AVERAGE PITCHER.

The Jays were not going to be pressured into trading Halladay last deadline, unless it was worth it. They said it from DAY ONE, and stuck to it.

Donald looked good, but hasn't since he was hurt. Carrasco hasn't looked good, and over rated. Taylor looks good though.

Posted by: juiced | November 07, 2009 at 05:50 PM

Sickles had 15 A's prospects graded B- or better. Compare that with the Mets 5. Ike Davis? That guy's a damn joke, if he was truly a good prospect, why dont the Mets just keep him? Chris Carter is what you call a legit 1B prospect, Davis is just average and the Jays are not about to trade away a premium quality arm for a position player, theyve said repeatedly they want arms for him. Drabek+Taylor+Happ isnt anything the Mets can compete with.

Im not a specific hater, I just dont want to see another team Johan Santana'd. Remember how "lauded" those bunch of cruddy prospects were? Sickles called Neise "not an ace but should be a fine inning-eater." that about sums it up right there. The Jays would be insane to not get at least 2 high B graded guys in a deal for Halladay.

Posted by: PL | November 07, 2009 at 05:50 PM

I would think teams are taking notice on the prospects success rate of other teams.

Since Reyes and Wright the Mets have struggled, while teams like the Twins, Red Sox recently, Rays, Yankees now etc etc are producing a good quantity of good prospects.

So if you were to choose between 2 equal packages you would go with the winning teams.

Posted by: quintjs | November 07, 2009 at 05:56 PM

"I would think teams are taking notice on the prospects success rate of other teams."

Not necessarily. Remember the line from Rick Peterson? He could fix Victor Zambrano in 10 minutes... I think teams rely on their scouting rather than potential incompetence of their competition. If the coaches and scouts say this top 10 prospect is a guy we want to build, they'll ask for them.

Posted by: start_wearing_purple | November 07, 2009 at 06:02 PM

PL,
First, try spelling Sickels' name correctly.

Second, just because they have fewer top prospects than the deepest top farm system in baseball doesn't mean they have a bad system.

And Ike Davis is a damn joke? Explain that. You can't. Not that I think Davis would be of great interest to the Jays, but quit being a troll. People like you make the internet suck.

Also, on F-Mart. The guy sucked in the majors at a really young age, but raked in triple-A at a really young age. I think people are labeling him way too quickly, even if he wouldn't be a guy I targeted if I were Toronto.

Posted by: aap212 | November 07, 2009 at 06:18 PM

The Mets certainly have the ammunition to acquire Roy Halladay, but it's going to take 4-6 players to get it done considering there's no Kyle Drabek or Dominic Brown in the bunch.

I'd think any offer would have to look something like this:

Halladay

for

Ike Davis (far from a joke - 6'5" first round pick who hit .298/.381/.524 in his first full season)

Jon Niese
Wilmer Flores
Fernando Martinez
Brad Holt

Of course that would decimate the Toronto farm system, but someone else will be picking up the pieces in 2011 with Omar having been canned.

Posted by: vtadave | November 07, 2009 at 06:59 PM

"I would think teams are taking notice on the prospects success rate of other teams.

Since Reyes and Wright the Mets have struggled, while teams like the Twins, Red Sox recently, Rays, Yankees now etc etc are producing a good quantity of good prospects."

I actually disagree with this. The Mets haven't produced many recent farm system successes because they only recently rebuilt their farm system.

The Mets went through a period where they didn't have a farm system because Phillips and Duquette are morons.

F-Mart hasn't succeeded yet, but he's really young for his league. Same with Mejia, Flores, etc. And, Niese looks really, really promising.

And, of course, Scott Kazmir was a Mets draftee.

Posted by: melonis rex | November 07, 2009 at 07:11 PM

You're right aap we should give F-mart more time. Niese is a decent pitcher, but no more than a #4 or at best a #3. The mets system is not as bad as some make it out to be, but not as good as others feel it is. None of those players mentioned make me want to deal halladay. Davis, F-mart and Niese do interest me, but Holt wasn't that great this year and most of the other guys require a lot of patience. I think the Jays will want for sure guys. Bucholtz from the sox will contribute now just like Happ. Taylor could have played right now. It's easy when you are a bad team to restock the lower level of your system. I believe the Jays want guys for the upper levels.

Posted by: joemorgan=#1 | November 07, 2009 at 07:23 PM

Jays fans , Mets fans whoever...

unless the team looking to acquire Doc comes up with a package that can beat the 2 picks that Toronto would get for letting him walk after 2010 then they could have a basis for a negotiation if not ... then go drop a crap load on John Lackey etc... lol...

I know who I'd rather have on my team ...

Also the Tribe made the move because they are hurting for cash as is the city and the entire rust belt of the USA... not the case in Toronto which is the 4th largest population center in North America )..

Posted by: cortez101 | November 07, 2009 at 07:36 PM

Melonis ...

F Mart might turn into something but the Jays have enough OF's and Vernon is going nowhere so no reason to trade for him unless you move Snider or Lind to 1st ...
Power arms baby... unless the dude tosses 95 with a 2 plane breaking ball ... I don't want him...

And don't anyone tell me JA Happ is an ace.... lol... if he was ... he would have been in the starting rotation in the playoffs,... instead of being an after thought..

Posted by: cortez101 | November 07, 2009 at 07:39 PM

I remember all the Dodger fans saying hold, hold... don't trade prospects etc... lol...
bet they wish they dealt Ethan Martin, Billingsley and co for Doc at the deadline now ...

Posted by: cortez101 | November 07, 2009 at 07:41 PM

Jays should do Dave Wright for Doc straight up ..
Posted by: cortez101 | November 07, 2009 at 05:36 PM

^
Nominated for the most asinine post on this thread.

If the Mets offered this, of course the Jays should jump, but the Mets would be idiots to trade a 26-year-old perennial All-Star 3B (who is signed through 2013) for a pitcher who will turn 33 at the beginning of next season and who is signed for only one more year.

Posted by: parrothead8 | November 07, 2009 at 07:42 PM

what i dont get is how cant the mets prospects be trusted? the prospects traded for santana have nothing to do with the teams prospects now. and so what if they didnt plan out as planned? if every prospect turned out great why would teams trade them?

Should we write off desmond jennings and label him a bust because delmon young hasnt panned out? no they have nothing to do with each other.

but mets fans need to stop turning every thread into a mets prospects discussion. there are a few promising players but they are not major league ready which the jays are looking for. halladay is not a necessity lets not turn the mets into the national league yankees transaction-wise

Posted by: Timmy B | November 07, 2009 at 08:29 PM

What's this thing about trusting the Mets' prospects in trade?

They haven't traded a bunch of guys who have immediately gotten injured. People used to say this crap about Beane or Schuerholz. But those guys traded away young players who went on to great things. It's about trusting your own scouts and analysts, not about not trusting the other team. Teams haven't gotten great returns from the Mets because they haven't done a good job of dealing with them. How the Mets got Santana without giving up Martinez and Pelfrey still baffles me.

Posted by: aap212 | November 07, 2009 at 08:55 PM

I know that that this will probably will not happen cause Toronto wants a ton of prospects, but how sick would this rotation be:

Lee
Halladay
Hamels(who's an ace when he's on)
Blanton
Happ/Moyer/Drabek

This rotation would be a nightmare for any team because it's almost 3 automatic wins, only if Hamels is on and not whining like a baby.

Posted by: phils08champs | November 07, 2009 at 09:22 PM

I know this probably won't happen cause of what Toronto wants, but look how sick this rotation is:

Lee
Halladay
Hamels
Blanton
Happ/Drabek(Moyer will probably be in the bullpen)

This would = DYNASTY

Posted by: phils08champs | November 07, 2009 at 09:24 PM

It wouldn't equal a dynasty. It would be amazing for one year, but there's zero chance the Phillies would be able to retain Halladay and Lee when they hit free agency at the same time.

Posted by: aap212 | November 07, 2009 at 09:37 PM

aap212, I believe that the Phillies will extend Lee's contract before next offseason. Though the Phillies will probably not get Halladay anyway, if they did you would probably be right because they would have to resign Werth and Victorino. Though there are a lot of good pitchers that are potential FA in 2011.

Posted by: phils08champs | November 07, 2009 at 09:45 PM

im a white sox fan and i feel bad for Blue Jays fans. Halladay should have been traded to the red sox. that offer they gave them was unbelievable. Now they wont get nearly as much for him, Its a shame how dumb ricardi is. He WAS the worst gm in baseball. hopefully he never gets job for any team.

Posted by: Bob Loblaw | November 07, 2009 at 10:05 PM

Face it, the Jays won't be able to trade him so he will walk after next season. He will get CC money from the Redsox or the Yankee's as they are the only teams that will be able to afford him. The fact that he wants to play for a winner excludes any chance of him signing with the Mets. The Dodgers will act like they want him but will never sign a pitcher for that kind of money. The Angels are to fiscally responsible to tie up that much salary into one player. So there you go. Redsox or Yankees as a free agent after next season.

Posted by: www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1496227038 | November 07, 2009 at 10:37 PM

nobody knows what type of prospect a player will become after he is drafted. The Phils were offering legit prospects and a possible ace in Happ. The Jays definitely lost out by not taking the deal."

Cmon, why are so many people on Happ's nuts? He had a good set of starts in the majors. Thats it. He projects to be a #3, nothing else. His mechanics are bad and had the best couple months of his life this year. Don't be fooled, the Jays werent.

Also, Drabek isnt going to be an ace either. He will probably be a #2, but definetley not on the level of CC, Santana, etc.

"I remember all the Dodger fans saying hold, hold... don't trade prospects etc... lol...
bet they wish they dealt Ethan Martin, Billingsley and co for Doc at the deadline now ..."

Um, no. Our whole problem was offense. We dominated a good lineup, but gave up runs to a great lineup. You wont shut down the Phillies. Their lineup was too deep. W/o Manny hitting, or Furcal, Blake, etc, we had no chance...

Also, how do we know what Halladay would do? He has NEVER pitched in the postseason. Lee hadnt and looked great. CC, it took him 3 postseasons and an easy end of the season schedule for him to look really good. halladay =/= title for the Dodgers.

And why would we give up a guy who will be more valueabale than Halladay by the time he reachs FA, and was 4th in WAR on the Dodgers this year, and a guy who has ace potential PLUS MORE for a 31 year old who will want a contract for 7 years?

Bob F, the dodgers have gotten away from longterm deals as a whole w/ FA since Dreifort and Pierre. They have left a bad taste and we have gone less years, more annual salary to sign guys. Also, we have been one of very few teams who have stayed competitive almost every year and still built a young core. We have done this by very few long term deals and keeping our picks. Those picks have become the Kershaws, Kemps, and Billingsleys of the Dodgers...

Posted by: lakersdodgersyankees4life | November 08, 2009 at 04:03 AM

Yeah, the Red Sox crap prospects. Let me remind you of our other "crap" prospects.

Hanley Ramirez

Jonathan Papelbon

Dustin Pedroia

Jacoby Ellsbury

Jon Lester

Kevin Youkilis

Yep, all these players have all had terrible careers.......

Posted by: twitter.com/bomberj11 | November 08, 2009 at 09:21 AM

Jack B, I dont want to start an internet war, but I do want to devulge a little into your last post...

Hanley Ramirez is one of the best players in baseball, no doubt. However, I'd be ashamed to include him in a Red Sox former prospect discussion because he was traded for Beckett and Lowell...

Papelbon is a good closer. He can get the job done, most of the time. He seems to work into many jams, has an attitude bigger than Manny's and will not be worth the 10M+ he will most likely get...

Pedroia is one of the best 2B. He had a great 2008. Won the MVP. However, because of that MVP, many Red Sox fans now christen him the next greatest 2B in baseball history. Sorry, but he isnt even the best in this generation.

Ellsbury is one of the fastest guys in baseball. Based on memory alone, I think he had over 60 steals. However, according to UZR, he is one of the worst CF's defensivly in the game. I know that any Sox fan who reads this will piss and moan about how he's so great. He makes the easy plays look hard because of his horrible reads and then makes up for it with speed and simply cannot make the 'tough' plays.

Lester is one of the best young lefties in the game. As long as the cancer doesnt come back, he will have a great career.

Youkilis didnt become a full time player until he was 27 years old. He has a career average of 292, OBP of 391 and OPS 878. Good numbers, but not nearly as good as some Sox fans think he is...

Posted by: lakersdodgersyankees4life | November 08, 2009 at 04:09 PM

And you say 'careers'. All those guys have been in the majors for about 4 years. Youk has been here a little longer, but has only been a full time player for 3 years. They have had good starts to their career, but none of them have a legacy yet...

Posted by: lakersdodgersyankees4life | November 08, 2009 at 04:11 PM

So your problem with Red Sox players is Red Sox fans? That's not really fair analysis.

Posted by: aap212 | November 08, 2009 at 05:01 PM

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