Joel Sherman of the New York Post wrote yesterday about possible midseason trade candidates, Roy Halladay in particular. He says Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi "did not discount" the possibility of Halladay being this year’s C.C. Sabathia, snagging this quote from Ricciardi:
"Ownership wants no part of trading Roy at this time. He’s the face of the organization. Right now we are not thinking about going down that road. But that is what we feel in February. Who knows how you feel in June? We have thought about it, this has not escaped us [that Halladay could leave as a free agent, and trading him might be best for the long-term health of the organization]. In June, we may have to say. ’Is this the way we want to go?’ It will be up to ownership, and ownership has a strong attachment to Doc."
Halladay is signed at a reasonable $14.25MM this year and $15.75MM for ’10. Ricciardi also said the Jays could attempt to extend Halladay’s contract this spring. Sherman also learned that the Jays tried to trade Vernon Wells this winter. Wells is owed $100MM over the next six seasons, and has a full no-trade clause. He hired a personal trainer who will shadow him this season in an attempt to keep him healthy.
