Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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November 1

ESPN.com

"Although the Cubs have had discussions with Toronto about different scenarios, Cubs sources on Saturday vehemently denied that there is any type of a trade for Milton Bradley for Vernon Wells being discussed. Bradley had two years left on his contract at $21.5 million. Wells has five years left at $98 million, including $23 million each in the last two years of the contract."

Wells swap 'has legs'

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October 31

Toronto Sun

columnist Bob Elliott

"It's not a match made in heaven. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The Chicago Cubs would like to -- have to -- deal disgruntled outfielder Milton Bradley. And one player they are eyeing as a target destination is the Blue Jays, with centre fielder Vernon Wells going to the Cubs in return. "It's early on, but we think this one has some legs," said one Cubs official. "But they aren't the only team we are talking with." Bradley, 31, who was suspended for the remainder of the season by the Cubs on Sept. 20, has two years and $21 million US remaining on his contract. Wells has six years left on his contract extension, $107 million remaining, including the $8.5-million final instalment of his ..."

Blue Jays to talk to three for Canadian scouting job

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October 23

Toronto Sun

"The Blue Jays have asked for and received permission to talk to a member of the Philadelphia Phillies front office. Pat Gillick, the Phillies' senior advisor? Nope. The Jays will add a Canadian scout leading into the 2010 draft and one of the three scouts new Jays scouting director Andrew Tinnish will interview is Montrealer Alex Agostino. Agostino scouted and signed Georgetown right-hander Shawn Hill when he worked for the Montreal Expos. Hill was a sixth-round choice in 2000. Agostino worked for the Florida Marlins after the Expos. Another candidate is former Jays left-hander Denis Boucher, of Lachine, Que. who scouted for the Washington Nationals until recently."

Anthopoulos keeping tabs on Scutaro and Barajas

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October 19

Toronto Sun

"Whither goest free agents Marco Scutaro and Rod Barajas? Well, nowhere yet. Not until 15 days after the final pitch of the World Series. "We like both players," said Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "We'd like to bring them both back." Can the Jays afford to bring them both back? Antopoulous won't know his team budget until later this month. "Like I said, we like both players and they are both important positions, but we can't make a bad deal," the rookie GM said from Toronto. The free agents list at both positions is not deep. At short, there are the likes of Orlando Cabrera, Alex Cora, Bobby Crosby, Adam Everett, Alex Gonzalez, Khalil Greene, Miguel Tejada, Jack Wilson and the ..."

Blue Jays fire directorof player development

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October 10

Toronto Sun

"Dick Scott, one of J.P. Ricciardi's most trusted advisers, has been fired by the Blue Jays. Besides Scott, who had been the Jays' director of player development, Cambridge's Rob Ducey, a pro scout whose coverage included the Pacific Rim, also was let go. Scott was hired Nov. 28, 2001 and was based in Dunedin, Fla., where the Jays have spring training as well as their class-A Florida State and rookie-class Gulf Coast affiliates, extended spring and instructional league teams. There was more than one report a year ago that Scott would be fired at the end of 2008. Ricciardi's eight-year run as general manager came to an end a week ago today. Assistant GM Alex Anthopoulos was named to ..."

Pressing issues for new Jays GM

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October 5

Toronto Star

"Less than 48 hours into his tenure as the Jays' new general manager, Alex Anthopoulos has more questions than answers. The 32-year-old Canadian will be keeping a low profile with the media until such time as he has formulated his own off-season game plan and trundled it up to the Rogers tower for discussion with ownership. It's the way it should be. And don't look for any sneak previews on ESPN.com or FoxSports. Here are some of the first issues the GM should address as he tries to prove to fans and the rest of the baseball world that he's not just Mini-Me to former GM J.P. Ricciardi's Dr. Evil:"

Charges of unfair treatment leave Cito hurt

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October 3

Toronto Sun

"Manager Cito Gaston clearly was mystified and more than a little hurt to be blindsided by what amounts to a player mutiny within the Blue Jays clubhouse. "I think I've treated everybody fairly," he said. "I haven't misused anybody. Some guys haven't pitched as much as they'd like to, but everybody has gotten playing time. I've treated everybody with respect. I'm not sure what their bitch is. I would always hope they would come to me and not go to you guys. "I was a player and I had managers whom I didn't think treated me fairly. But I'm surprised that I can find any guy who thinks I haven't treated him fairly. I'm not sure what the problem is." Gaston has another year to run on the ..."

Mutiny in Jays' clubhouse

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October 3

Toronto Star

"Over in the far-left reaches of the home clubhouse at the Rogers Centre is a corner enclave of lockers populated by some of the Jays' deep thinkers, veterans and up-and-coming stars. Among them: Vernon Wells, Aaron Hill, Rod Barajas, Kevin Millar and, formerly, Scott Rolen. It is from that Speakers' Corner that the leadership of the unfolding Cito Gaston revolt seems to have been spawned. Since every uprising needs a leader, Wells, the longest-serving, the wealthiest, the union rep and the man with the most revolting personal '09 season rolled into one was chosen as the voice. Friday night, his silence was broken. "If something of that magnitude comes out, obviously there's some truth ..."

Sources: Players don't want Cito back in '10

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October 2

Foxsports.com

"The Blue Jays' rehiring of manager Cito Gaston last season started out as a feel-good story, a link to the franchise's back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and '93. A mere 15 months later, the mood inside the Jays' clubhouse has turned decidedly sour. The players are fed up with Gaston and do not want him to return next season, according to multiple major-league sources. "It's nearly a mutiny right now," one source says. "He has lost the entire team." The Jays are not playing like a club in turmoil — they have won six straight games and nine of their last 10, sweeping the Red Sox at Fenway Park in their most recent series. Tension built, however, while the Jays went 39-69 after their ..."

J.P. Ricciardi's Jays GM job may be on line

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September 29

Boston Herald

"With a year remaining on his contract, Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi finds himself in limbo as Toronto winds down a disappointing season. Ricciardi, completing his eighth season as the club's GM, has a deal which runs through the 2010 season. But Toronto's 72-84 record heading into last night, coupled with dwindling attendance at Rogers Centre, sparked speculation that the Jays could undergo a housecleaning. The Blue Jays haven't made the playoffs since winning back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and '93 and will finish fourth in the American League East this year, well behind the division-winning Yankees and second-place Red Sox. In recent days, rumors spread that Pat ..."

No joy in Draftville for the Blue Jays

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August 19

Toronto Star

"There are valid reasons sports fans don't pay as much attention to baseball's amateur draft in June as they do other pro sports. Those became obvious for Jays fans yesterday after the deadline for signing draftees passed with three of Toronto's top four picks (all Top 100 overall) failing to come to terms. "There's a limit on everything," GM J.P. Ricciardi said of his team's financial resources and patience. "You can't just give everything everybody wants. It wouldn't be good business. From our end, we put a monetary thing on it. We thought we were very generous, but it wasn't enough.""

White Sox downplay rumored waiver bids

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August 10

Chicago Tribune

"General manager Ken Williams confirmed White Sox activity in the waiver process without answering directly whether he placed a claim on pricey Blue Jays outfielder Alex Rios. "I'm not confirming or denying any interest or any claims or anything," Williams said Saturday. "But if these things get out on a daily basis, boy, it's going to be a heck of an August around here in terms of how many players you claim and how many you don't claim. It will make your head spin if you follow each report. "A lot of players get claimed every day. Why is this a big deal?" Because Rios is guaranteed nearly $60 million from 2010 to 2014. An ESPN.com report said a team placed a claim on Rios, and that the ..."

Ricciardi won't comment on Rios report

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August 8

MLB.com

"Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi downplayed an online report that surfaced on Friday, indicating that right fielder Alex Rios has been claimed off waivers by an unidentified team. That does not necessarily mean Toronto isn't currently weighing its options with the outfielder. "It's the time of year where everybody gets put through waivers on every team," Ricciardi said. "For us to comment on that, I don't think is a good thing. We're not going to comment on the waiver wire. It's unfortunate that someone puts anything out there that's supposed to be confidential. "In this case, all I'll tell you is everybody gets put through waivers. It's a normal process. Every team does it, but ..."

Alomar makes fresh pitch to join Jays' front office

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August 8

Toronto Star

"Five years after his last professional game, Blue Jays legend Roberto Alomar is ready to return to major league baseball. Off the field. He's not sure exactly what role he wants to fill with a big-league club, but is certain that he wants that club to be the Toronto Blue Jays. Alomar says he hasn't yet had formal discussions with upper management about working for the team, but said he plans to initiate talks soon. "This is where I belong. This is where I made my mark and this is where I love to be," he said yesterday."

White Sox reportedly have interest in Alex Rios

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August 8

Chicago Tribune

"The White Sox were willing to take on the remaining $56 million on Jake Peavy's contract he signed with the Padres, and a report Friday night suggests they might be willing to take a bigger financial obligation with Blue Jays outfielder Alex Rios. According to ESPN.com, citing major league sources, the Sox were the team most likely to have put in a waiver claim on Rios. Rios is guaranteed $59.7 million from 2010 through 2014. Teams can put in waiver claims simply to block another team (think the Tigers) from trying to acquire a player but run a financial risk. The Blue Jays, who are trying to shed payroll, have three options: --They can award Rios to the team that claims him without any ..."

Jays take closer look with Scott Downs out

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August 3

Toronto Star

"or Jays fans that have already given up on 2009 as a playoff-bound season, there's a bright side to the great toe injury suffered by Scott Downs on Saturday in Oakland. While Downs is out, likely until September, it will allow Jason Frasor, Brandon League and, perhaps the newly acquired Josh Roenicke to strut their closer's stuff just in case there is a Jays' need in 2010. "Frasor's certainly done a good job down there as far as (closing)," said manager Cito Gaston. "You might mix League in there, too. Hopefully we run into a situation where you have three or four nights in a row where you've got to save a game. If that's the case then I'll have to throw somebody else in there, too." In ..."

Reds get Rolen from Jays

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July 31

Cincinnati Enquirer

"The Reds have sent Jerry Hairston Jr. to the New York Yankees, and traded Edwin Encarnacion and two others for Toronto's Scott Rolen. The Reds are sending third baseman Encarnacion and pitchers Josh Roenicke and Zach Stewart to Toronto. In exchange for Hairston, the Reds got catcher Chase Weems. Rolen, who is 34 years-old, has spent the past two seasons in Toronto. This year he is hitting .320 with eight home runs and 43 RBI in 88 games."

Rangers' talks for Halladay break off

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July 31

MLB.com

"There was a point on Thursday when the Rangers thought they had a real chance at trading for Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay, with a source saying a deal was "very close." But that is no longer the case. As of Friday morning, just hours before the 3 p.m. CT/4 ET Trade Deadline, trade talks between the two clubs appear to have broken off. According to those familiar with the discussions, the situation was somewhere between dead and on life-support. There were multiple issues involved that kept a deal from getting done, but the biggest involved Rangers rookie left-hander Derek Holland. The Blue Jays wanted him and the Rangers wouldn't give him up."

Dodgers looking for more bullpen help

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July 31

Foxsports.com

"The Dodgers no longer are talking to the Blue Jays about ace right-hander Roy Halladay, and they're also unlikely to get Jays right-handed reliever Jason Frasor, according to a major-league source. The Jays are listening on all fronts until the 4 p.m. non-waiver deadline. The Dodgers, looking for bullpen help even after adding left-hander George Sherrill on Thursday, have inquired on Frasor. The source, however, indicated that the teams did not have a match."

Rangers bid for Halladay appears over

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July 31

Foxsports.com

"The Rangers' bid for Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay appears over. It is "unlikely" the Rangers will get anything done with the Jays, according to a major-league source with intimate knowledge of the discussions. The Jays had asked the Rangers for left-hander Derek Holland, Class AA first baseman Justin Smoak and two other top prospects."

Ryan confirms Halladay discussions

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July 31

MLB.com

"Club president Nolan Ryan confirmed Thursday night that the Rangers and the Blue Jays are having trade discussions about pitcher Roy Halladay. "We've had discussions with them, yes," Ryan said after the Rangers' 7-1 victory over the Mariners. "Nothing has been done. It's been going on for a while and there have been names talked about. There hasn't been a deal struck and it's still premature to make a prediction whether it will happen." Earlier, when asked to comment on the report, a high-ranking Blue Jays official replied with a text message saying "nothing to them" regarding how serious the rumors may be.There are mixed signals whether a deal will get done by Friday's 3 p.m. CT ..."

Tigers inquire about Roy Halladay, shoot down Blue Jays' steep demands

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July 31

Detroit News

"After inquiring about the asking price for Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay, the Tigers bowed out ahead of Friday's trade deadline when they were told Toronto wanted pitchers Rick Porcello, Ryan Perry and Casey Crosby, an elite prospect. The information was disclosed by a Blue Jays source familiar with Toronto's trade discussions as the club continues to mull offers after being earlier turned down by the Phillies. Porcello is a 20-year-old right-hander who is 9-7 with a 4.62 ERA and likely will draw votes for American League rookie of the year. Perry, 22, another right-hander, was the Tigers' first-round draft pick in 2008 and has pitched effectively out of the bullpen for manager Jim ..."

Roy Halladay sweepstakes going down to wire

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July 31

New York Daily News

"Although he has been the main focus of the baseball world for the past few weeks, Roy Halladay is likely to remain a Blue Jay when the trade deadline arrives at 4p.m. Friday. Barring a last-minute surprise, Toronto appears unlikely to deal the former American League Cy Young winner, as the price set by general manager J.P. Ricciardi has been deemed too high by other teams. According to a source, talks continued yesterday between the Yankees and Mariners, as GM Brian Cashman is looking to bring veteran lefthander Jarrod Washburn to the Bronx for the stretch run. Seattle has been asking for a premium price to part with Washburn, but with the southpaw's contract set to expire at the end of ..."

Roy Halladay still in play for Rangers, but Jays want Derek Holland, others

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July 31

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

"Just about everyone in the Texas Rangers' organization, on the field or off it, wants to make a deal before the non-waiver trade deadline passes at 3 p.m. today. The Rangers have the prospects to get any potential trade partner's attention. But in a sport where $5 million seems like spare change, it's been suggested for the past few months that the Rangers come up with only lint when they dig into their pockets. That might not be entirely true. The Rangers are still pursuing a trade for the biggest name on the trade market, right-hander Roy Halladay, and baseball sources said that money won't be the issue that causes a deal for the former Cy Young winner to fall apart. "We've had ..."

Jays GM: I doubt Halladay deal will happen

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July 30

Foxsports.com

"The Roy Halladay sweepstakes appear all but over, with no winner. "If we get through today and we're not anywhere, that would be a pretty good sign that it's done," Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi told FOXSports.com at 4 p.m. ET Thursday, 24 hours before the non-waiver trade deadline. "There are too many logistics for it to get done (tomorrow). For someone to come on the spot at the 11th hour, knowing they could have talked about this guy for a long time, I don't think that it's going to happen.""

Angels don't look to be in Halladay chase

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July 30

Foxsports.com

"In the end, the Angels were not serious players for Indians left-hander Cliff Lee, according to a major-league source. They do not appear to be serious players for Roy Halladay, either. The Angels, according to FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi, rejected a Blue Jays' proposal that would have required them to part with three major leaguers — left-hander Joe Saunders, shortstop Erick Aybar and infielder Brandon Wood. The talks since have failed to gain traction, with one source saying that the Angels simply do not match up well with the Jays. "If those are the levels, we're not going to do an 11th-hour entry," one Angels source said, referring to the Blue Jays' initial asking price. "We're not ..."

Rangers looking to Arizona, Toronto and Pittsburgh for deadline help

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July 30

Dallas Morning News

"Rangers brass has a day and some change to find a deal before the non-waiver trade deadline at 3 p.m. Friday to help fortify the Rangers for the stretch run, but Jon Daniels and crew will have to find away to remove the financial shackles that are making their task more difficult. The Phillies will pay the rest of Cliff Lee's salary this season, around $2 million. Philadelphia traded a top prospect whose star had diminished in some circles and a highly regarded pitcher at least three years away. They also tossed in two other prospects. Surely, the Rangers could have matched that prospect package, but was a seemingly paltry $2 million the deal-breaker? It might have been. So, working under ..."

Reds, Rolen talks 'going nowhere'

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July 30

Foxsports.com

"The Reds' talks with the Blue Jays about third baseman Scott Rolen have failed to progress. Asked to characterize the negotiations, one source said, "Going nowhere. Stuck. Impasse." The impasse could break if the Jays trade Roy Halladay. At that point, they would concede the 2010 season and likely move Rolen and other veterans."

Rangers long shots for Halladay, Washburn

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July 30

Foxsports.com

"The Rangers remain interested in Roy Halladay and Jarrod Washburn but regard them as long shots, one major-league source with knowledge of their plans said this afternoon. The source added that Texas isn't involved in talks about relievers Heath Bell, George Sherrill or Matt Capps."

Dodgers, Red Sox hone in on Halladay

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July 30

Yahoo! Sports

"In the wake of the Philadelphia Phillies' acquisition of starting pitcher Cliff Lee, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox have become the frontrunners to acquire Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay, according to baseball sources. While other clubs – the Yankees, notably – remained peripherally engaged, there appeared to be a two-team race for Halladay with a little more than 24 hours left to the non-waiver trading deadline. Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi has asked for as many as a half-dozen prospects in return for Halladay, the former Cy Young Award winner who would lead the Dodgers' rotation and join Josh Beckett atop the Red Sox's. The Dodgers' offer is believed to be all minor league ..."

Dodgers after Halladay, Sherrill

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July 30

Foxsports.com

"A little more than 24 hours before the non-waiver trade deadline, the Dodgers are pursuing a marquee starter, Toronto's Roy Halladay, and a marquee reliever, Baltimore's George Sherrill. It might be difficult for Los Angeles to acquire both pitchers. One major-league source said some of the same prospects are believed to have been discussed in both deals. But the source added, "I wouldn't put it past Ned," in reference to Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti. The Blue Jays, who lost leverage Wednesday when Cliff Lee was traded to Philadelphia, have given the Dodgers some flexibility in constructing their offer. Toronto officials have given Colletti a number of alternatives: smaller ..."

Blue Jays weighing Halladay options

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July 30

MLB.com

"The chances of Roy Halladay being traded by the Blue Jays dropped significantly on Wednesday. The Phillies -- long the favorites to land Toronto's ace -- completed a blockbuster deal with the Indians for left-hander Cliff Lee. In the age of instant news, it did not take long for word to spread to Safeco Field in Seattle, where Halladay took the mound for the Blue Jays on Wednesday. By acquiring Lee, the Phillies effectively pulled themselves out of the running for Halladay, leaving the Blue Jays with limited options as Friday's 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline looms. With the Phillies out of the mix, removing the team that served as the best match in terms of what the Blue Jays wanted ..."

Obstacles aplenty in any potential Halladay deals

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July 30

CBSSports.com

"The Philadelphia Phillies now off the table after acquiring Cliff Lee from Cleveland, Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi says his "gut" tells him that ace Roy Halladay will remain with the Blue Jays through Friday's deadline. Trade deadline translation: Less than 48 hours until Friday's non-waivers trade deadline, Ricciardi's gut is telling him that it doesn't like what the Angels, Red Sox, Dodgers, Rangers and Yankees are offering. "My gut tells me [that he won't be traded]," Ricciardi told colleague Danny Knobler shortly after learning Wednesday that the Phillies had re-directed away from Halladay and latched onto Lee. "We haven't been moved enough to move the player." No doubt, ..."

Washington says club ready to buy

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July 30

MLB.com

"Rangers manager Ron Washington said he thinks his club will do something before Friday's Trade Deadline. It won't be Roy Halladay, but the Rangers are still hoping to make a move either for starting pitching or offensive help. "We'll make a deal," Washington said. "I don't know who we'll make a deal with, but we'll probably do something. But if we don't, we're not going to use that as an excuse for not playing well. We're still looking at everything to see what's out there." Washington's preference is to add starting pitching. "That's what every manager sitting at the Trade Deadline is hoping to get unless he has five quality ones," Washington said. "You can always use depth in your ..."

Lackey makes pitch for Halladay

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July 30

Orange County Register

"S o you want the Angels to add an ace? Guess what? That Angels' ace wants the Angels to add an ace, too. "Roy Halladay?" John Lackey said. "I'm all for it. To me, he's the best pitcher in the league. Besides, a little healthy competition is good for a rotation." There's the Angels' best pitcher making his best pitch. If Lackey had stated these feelings on Twitter, this would be breaking news, right up there with reporter Dwyane Wade reporting that basketball player Dwyane Wade wants Lamar Odom as a teammate. There is, however, one big difference between you and Lackey. You're guaranteed to be here next year. An impending free agent, Lackey could spend the summer of 2010 anywhere from ..."

Halladay still a possibility for Dodgers

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July 30

Foxsports.com

"The Phillies' trade for left-hander Cliff Lee only added to the pressure on the Dodgers to bolster their pitching staff. Blue Jays right-hander Roy Halladay remains a possibility, but only if the Dodgers are willing to part with the necessary prospects. The Blue Jays would not require the Dodgers to include right-hander Chad Billingsley or lefty Clayton Kershaw in a deal for Halladay, according to major-league sources. But Dodgers GM Ned Colletti has said publicly that the Jays want five or six of his team's best young players. The Jays, in need of a shortstop, surely would have interest in Ivan DeJesus Jr., who has been out the entire season with a broken right leg, or Devaris Gordon, a ..."

Rangers aren't giving up hope on Halladay

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July 30

Foxsports.com

"The Texas Rangers have a definite need for pitching and one of the best farm systems in the game. What's more, Roy Halladay hasn't ruled out waiving his no-trade clause to come to Texas, according to FOXSports.com senior baseball writer Ken Rosenthal. So, why aren't we hearing more about them in the market for frontline starters? Well, the answer is pretty straightforward: Rangers owner Tom Hicks is having some financial difficulties, and it's doubtful that the team will be able to add much to its payroll this year. The Rangers are optimistic that next year's payroll will be more flexible — when Halladay would be in the final year of his deal at $15.75 million. As of Wednesday, the folks ..."

Rays not done pursuing Halladay

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July 30

Foxsports.com

"The Rays have not pulled out of the Roy Halladay sweepstakes. A trade for Halladay remains a longshot for the Rays due to the acquisition cost, both in prospects and dollars, according to a major-league source. But the team still considers itself in the mix. Club officials also are focusing on adding bullpen help — and yes, just 24 hours ago they were kicking around the idea of selling relievers. The Rays' shifting position reflects their uncertainty about their postseason chances playing in the same division as the Yankees and Red Sox."

Jays step up Overbay efforts

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July 30

Foxsports.com

"The Blue Jays might not trade Roy Halladay this week, but they have stepped up their efforts to move first baseman Lyle Overbay, major-league sources said. The Giants had been looking for a corner infielder such as Overbay, but it's not clear if they would still have interest after acquiring Ryan Garko from Cleveland. Overbay is earning $7 million this year and next. His contract includes some no-trade protection. Overbay isn't in the lineup today at Seattle. But that's not an indication that a deal is in place. The Jays are facing Ryan Rowland-Smith, and Kevin Millar generally starts against left-handed pitching."

Unlikely Jays' Halladay will be dealt now

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July 30

Toronto Star

"With the Phillies officially out of the Roy Halladay picture, having gone in another direction yesterday to obtain top-of-the-rotation starting stud Cliff Lee, the list of legitimate suitors for the good doctor has been cut down dramatically. It now seems likely Halladay will remain with the Jays at least through the end of '09. That's good for the Jays' clubhouse and for the Jays' fans. But what about Halladay's own feelings when just prior to facing the M's, he heard the rumours that Lee was going to the World Series champs instead of him, after his name had been bandied about for weeks, with the mayor of Philadelphia even clamouring for him? "It's never something that I had set one way ..."

Theo, take hit and be dealt an ace

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July 30

Boston Herald

"The time has come for the talking, the fretting and the numbers crunching to stop. Message to Theo Epstein: Pull the trigger. Stop worrying about who's going to play center field five years from now or who's going to be the next closer if Jonathan Papelbon decides to leave in two years. Stop wasting time trying to project the future of an 18-year-old kid like Ryan Westmoreland, who a year ago was preparing for his high school prom in Portsmouth, R.I., and make a move to get someone who's already shown what he will do this year if you give him the ball. Call J.P. Ricciardi in Toronto and give the Blue Jays general manager Daniel Bard or Casey Kelly, if that's what he wants, along with some ..."

Jays GM says Halladay is likely staying in Toronto through 2010

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July 29

New York Post

"J.P. Ricciardi said he now not only expects Halladay to be a Blue Jay for the rest of this season, but for the rest of his contract, which runs through next year. "I would have to talk to ownership, but I personally would be less inclined to trade him in the offseason," Ricciardi said when reached by phone by the Post. "I would think let's put our best foot forward in 2010. We expect to get our injured pitchers back (such as Shaun Marcum and Jesse Litsch) and let's try to win.' Ricciardi said he was neither surprised nor pained that the Phillies turned from frontrunners for Halladay to completing a deal today for Cliff Lee. "It doesn't hurt us," Ricciardi said. "We said the whole way that ..."

Source: Halladay would consider Rangers

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July 29

Foxsports.com

"Roy Halladay wants to play for a perennial contender. So, would he approve a trade to the Rangers, who last made the postseason in 1999? Maybe. Halladay has not ruled out waiving his no-trade clause for the Rangers, according to a source with knowledge of his thinking. However, he is not as certain to approve a deal to Texas as he is to the Yankees, Red Sox or either of the Los Angeles teams. The Rangers are 2½ games behind the Angels in the AL West and 1½ games behind the Red Sox for the wild card. They have the prospects to land Halladay, but many in baseball doubt their ability to take on his remaining salary in 2009 and '10."

Yankees still not playing on Halladay, Lee

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July 29

New York Post

"Yankees GM Brian Cashman did check in Tuesday with Toronto officials about Roy Halladay and Indians officials about Cliff Lee. But with roughly 48 hours until the deadline, the Yankees are still showing no inclination to chase either of the top starters in the trade market, sources tell The Post. A person close to the Steinbrenner family said that Cashman has not even asked permission to expand the 2009 payroll nor is there anticipation that ownership would allow a significant financial increase now. This is pertinent because the Yankees do believe that the Red Sox have put Clay Buchholz into a trade offer for Halladay and that Boston just might get the ace righty. In the offseason, ..."

Without Qualls and Wuertz, relief market would be worst ever

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July 29

SI.com

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"The Jays didn't make their deadline. But they are telling some teams that they want to focus on the Halladay situation before considering trades for their coveted relievers, including Scott Downs and Jason Frasor. In a weak relief market, their relievers are becoming very popular. The Orioles' portly closer George Sherrill is another viable reliever, but one executive said that will be an "overpay." The Dodgers and Angels are among teams looking at Sherrill, with the Dodgers pressing hard. The Diamondbacks appear to be leaning toward keeping Chad Qualls, while the A's are saying the same about Michael Wuertz. Normally, that wouldn't be a big deal. But in this barren market, it seems like ..."

Blue Jays no closer to Halladay trade

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July 29

MLB.com

"Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston took his seat on the bench inside the visitors' dugout at Safeco Field on Tuesday and prepared to field questions from the group of reporters closing in around him. Predictably, it didn't take long for someone to ask about Roy Halladay. "I haven't even seen Doc today," Gaston said. Gaston's response created a few chuckles. After all, an absent Halladay would set off rampant speculation, considering the ace pitcher is the biggest name being dangled as Friday's 4 p.m. ET non-waiver Trade Deadline inches closer. "You can believe he's here," Gaston quickly added. "He's been here a long time." At the rate negotiations have been going for the Blue Jays and ..."

Saving salary costly in other ways

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July 29

Toronto Star

"Roy Halladay was strolling around the clubhouse yesterday, smiling, loose and relaxed, preparing for today's start like he would any other. Which means not talking to media. But the fact that he was there with his mates and clearly had heard nothing about being traded spoke volumes. All quiet on the West Coast front. The self-imposed but very soft trade deadline set by GM J.P. Ricciardi for dealing Halladay came and went and the face of the franchise is still looking out and seeing himself in a Jays mirror. Doc is still scheduled to make his start against the Mariners. The only thing that could stop him is the GM calling long distance this morning, asking him to review a deal and waive his ..."

Blue Jays Trade Rumors