second consecutive season?
Chuck Solomon/SI
The Brewers are seen by baseball executives as a new serious player in the Roy Halladay sweepstakes, and considering the Brewers' well-stocked farm system and aggressive nature, they could become a threat to win the services of Toronto's star pitcher.
Two top Brewers executives -- Gord Ash and Dick Groch -- scouted Halladay's most recent start, and word is going around baseball circles that Milwaukee could build a good package. One name that could be part of a large package is young left-handed pitcher Manny Parra. Parra, 26, is 4-8 with a 6.37 ERA but has looked good since returning from the minors. He was 10-8 with a 4.39 ERA last year.
The Brewers made a huge score last year by trading prospects for star pitcher CC Sabathia at last year's trade deadline, putting them in the playoffs for the first time since 1982.
"Doug [Melvin is] a very good GM. I see him pulling something like this off,'' a competing executive said.
"We're going to be aggressive,'' one Brewers person said without mentioning any specific names.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is reporting that the Brewers scouted Indians ace Cliff Lee on Tuesday night. Lee threw a complete-game gem at Toronto, allowing one run on seven hits.
The Phillies generally have been seen as the most likely landing spot for Halladay, but the Brewers also have several key elements that make them a good candidate for the deal, including, 1) a decent batch of prospects, 2) an aggressive owner Mark Attanasio and GM, and 3) a revival that's filled Miller Park following their first playoff appearance in 26 years.
The Phillies have declined to include top pitching prospect Kyle Drabek, while the Mets turned away when the Blue Jays wanted top outfield prospect Fernando Martinez as part of a four-prospect package, according to sources. The Angels also are said to be reluctant to trade their prospects.
"They definitely have the prospects to do it,'' one competing GM said of Milwaukee.
The question is: Will they give up the prospects two straight years?
"I don't think (Melvin) will do it. He gave up two top-10 prospects last year,'' one competing exec opined.
But while Melvin has suggested he considers shortstop Alcides Escobar and third baseman Mat Gamel close to untouchable, the Brewers system is generally good. Their No. 1 pick a year ago, Brett Lawrie, yet another hitter, is highly regarded. While they aren't deep with pitching prospects, the Brewers could try to entice Toronto with Parra.
"He's very talented, but his performance hasn't quite matched his talent,'' one scout said.
"He's still a project but he should be at least an average starter,'' another scout said.
Halladay has a no-trade clause but has indicated he has an interest in trying to win. An acquaintance of Halladay's said that after winning, a relatively calm environment would be something the pitcher seeks. The only drawback about Milwaukee, according to the acquaintance, is that it trains in Arizona, not near Halladay's Dunedin, Fla., home.
The Dodgers, Giants, Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox and Tigers are among other teams to have shown interest in Halladay.
Jays GM J.P Ricciardi said on Tuesday that he was now viewing a trade of Halladay as "unlikely'' based on the fact that no one had stepped forward yet with the special young players they seek. Could Milwaukee be the one to do it?
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Comments (42) Add A Comment
Halladay would like a chance to win and a "relatively calm" environment? I would think that would eliminate his ok'ing a trade to New York Yankees without some outlandish extension. I know the Yankees are not afraid to spend money but I would imagine they'd have to pay a higher premium to get him. Him stating a relatively calm environment, I'm gonna have to check his stats on the road to see how he's fared in NY & Boston. He's darn good everywhere but does that statement from him suggest he wouldn't be able to handle the everyday pressure of playing in those places? I'm a Tribe fan but to play in any of those cities mentioned, NY has it all and tries to serious put a championship caliber team on the field every year. Would there be a choice as far as best chance to win?
Ravenhater
Total Comments (71)
Boston
sday4x45
Total Comments (918)
I can't wait for the Brewers to trade all their prospects to another team for a stud starting pitcher, just to loose him to free agency to the Yankees...
robertlmango
Hicksville , NY
Total Comments (8)
Big difference, Holladay is under contract for next year as well, so a little different then CC
Jdoggy Dizzle
Green Bay , WI
Total Comments (9)
The Phillies should just stop dickin around and trade for this guy. The WS trophy would be in Philly for at least the next 2 years. Drabek isn't gonna be ready for another 2 years and some of the Phils best pieces to their puzzle are only signed for 2 or 3 years. Our offense is good enough to outscore a lot of teams even if our pitching is takin a dump. We have the best lineup in baseball.
Eaglesfan1
Croydon, PA
Total Comments (49)
Halladay can opt out after this year.
Philly Rules
Total Comments (9)
Halliday has a no-trade clause. Would he even want to go to Philly? Not exactly a pitching-friendly park. Despite pitching to weaker NL lineups, is he willing to take a big hit to his stats in making the move? Milwaukee might have the horses to get the deal done, but again, he wants to go to a contender. Despite making the playoffs last season (mainly on the back of CC), are the Brewers really a contender, or just a pretender? I guess that's up to Halliday to decide. I'm thinking the Dodgers could throw a package out there including Eithier which might interest Toronto. I don't know who the Giants would have to offer to get him, but they'd be downright scary with him added to their rotation, they wouldn't even need to score runs. I don't see NY or Boston happening. With their awful minor league system, I'd be surprised if the Mets could get the deal done, and if they're too stupid to deal F-mart to get one of the best pitchers in baseball, they're doomed anyway.
Magicland
Hazlet , NJ
Total Comments (6)
I wish Houston would get into the hunt. Need the pitching badly
BentwaterPro
Montgomery , TX
Total Comments (1)
St Louis!
Rockdog15
Omaha , NE
Total Comments (4)
The Brew Crew should also go after Favre.
Eyes on the Prize
San Diego , CA
Total Comments (23)
Cardinals need him badly but the cheap - As, er ...skate owners who are sitting on a pile of equity from their sweet-heart purchase of the club won't do it. Cluster!
StLinTX
Total Comments (13)
Need to bring the hometown kid back to colorado. Halladay is an arvada west alumni and the rockies can give up ubaldo jiminez who is above average with serious heat and great stuff, ian stewart who is a stud slugger, and a couple of pitching prospects who won't work out at coors field anyway. O'dowd would take the risk but monfort is too cheap to keep good players, example holliday
STEMS
Wheat Ridge , CO
Total Comments (3)
Halladay would give the Brewers two years at going for the brass ring. He cannot opt out after this year. Whatever anyone thinks of Halladay, He's better than that, both on and off the field. His wife Brenda is a driving force behind many Blue Jays charity efforts. Halladay rents a corporate box for the season and fills it with under privileged kids for every game. He's a class act, the best of the best, bar none.
GSJAYS
Total Comments (3)
I'm glad that the Dodgers walked away from getting Halladay. Don't get me wrong, an ace pitcher like Halladay would fit in nicely for the Dodgers, but we need middle relief if Kuo can't
pitch anymore. I understand that Schmidt came out winning on his recent outing, but the jury is still out. I would give it three or four more games before I throw my confidence on Schmidt.
eagerbeaver
Paramount , CA
Total Comments (12)
st.louis makes sense because they could give up rasmus or thruston to toronto and then they would be nasty. Carpenter wainwright and halladay in the same rotation and then the next inning facing pujols.
NE BOSOXFAN
Northborough , MA
Total Comments (12)
Milwaukee? Yeah, right. He will have an NY on his cap by months end - and I don't mean the Mets.
tcmalibu
Malibu, CA
Total Comments (14)
Hard to believe it is hard to put a good package together for Halladay. He pitches in the toughest division in baseball and is lights out, and is signed to a reasonable contract for the next year and a half. How can there be teams not willing to take on one of the top 3 pitchers in baseball for $15 mill? Not willing to let go of prospects for a guaranteed thing? Mind boggling. Look how long it takes pitching prospects to pan out, if ever? Halladay is a rare, rare talent, and all these GM's are too scared to make the leap.
I can definitely see the Brewers taking the leap, they saw the value Sabathia brought to them last year. If they want Halladay they can get him, he is a better pitcher than CC, and he is under contract for next year after which you get two draft picks when he signs elsewhere.
Rodsky11
Total Comments (1)
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