NewsBlue Jays GM staying quiet on Halladay
Anthopoulos doesn't intend to comment on speculation
By Scott Merkin / MLB.com
11/10/09 7:51 PM EST
CHICAGO -- If teams approached Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos concerning the availability of Roy Halladay during the past two days of the General Managers' Meetings at the O'Hare Hilton, well, Anthopoulos isn't saying.In fact, if the Blue Jays field wild, unrealistic offers or listen to interesting talent bundles that make them stop and think about trading their coveted staff ace, Anthopoulos doesn't intend to make that information public.
"I understand why I'm getting asked about him," said Anthopoulos, during a chat with the media on Tuesday afternoon. "He's one of the best players on this team, and one of the best players in the entire game. He probably is one of the best players this franchise has ever known.
"With respect to trade rumors and speculation, I told everyone I don't want to comment on any rumors at all. I know fans and media want to know. But it's difficult to do my job if I'm going to comment on any players, let alone our star player.
"It's just a policy I'm going to have moving forward," Anthopoulos said. "Any talks about any specific player, I'm going to keep those quiet, allowing me to do my job better and hopefully, ultimately resulting in a quality product on the field."
Anthopoulos knows the value of a pitcher such as Halladay, who worked at least 220 innings for the sixth time in his career during the 2009 season. Halladay also posted his second straight ERA under 2.80 and fourth under 3.00 during his 12 years with the Blue Jays.
Simply put, he's the No. 1 starter any team in baseball aspires to put at the top of their rotation. Now, the question is: What are those teams willing to give up?
Take the White Sox, as just one example. The South Siders were known to have some interest in the 32-year-old right-hander when he was shopped at last year's non-waiver Trade Deadline but didn't have what then-Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi wanted in return. Any package for Halladay would figure to include top-notch young pitching, something the White Sox possess in the form of John Danks, Gavin Floyd and even Daniel Hudson.
But when asked what it would take to move someone such as Danks or Floyd, Williams set the bar high and not necessarily in the expensive veteran range.
"A better pitcher, younger, cheaper -- all kinds of things go into it," Williams said. "That would be a tough one. We are going to be a large degree, our success is predicated on our starters and the efforts as whole of our staff.
"So, it's tough to talk about. I engage in a lot of conversations with other clubs because I'm willing to entertain even the wildest ideas. I even throw a few wild ones out there myself. I never say never but I can say unlikely."
When asked if trade rumors surrounding Halladay could be a distraction in the last year of his contract, Anthopoulos admitted that it's a consideration for any star player in this situation, in any sport.
"This won't be the first time you have a player in his last year, and it's going to be a topic," Anthopoulos said. "It's part of sports, and we all know those things going in.
"You evaluate your roster and consider those. Who is under contract and for how much time? And you look at it what are we going to do to make this team a contending team and a sustained contending team.
"There's really no quick fix," Anthopoulos said. "I know the focus is going to be on our best player, but really, we are trying to get better for the long term. It's not going to be shortsighted or trying to put all our eggs in one basket for one year."
Any of Anthopoulos' players are open for trade talks, if the move improves the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays general manager just doesn't plan on making these talks public, even where his most sought after player is concerned.
"Ultimately, the criteria for a trade is going to come down to value," Anthopoulos said. "At the end of the day, when you talk about a trade or a signing, you are talking about the value of what you are getting back."
Scott Merkin is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
