Roy Halladay News: Pro Sports Daily

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November 6

Toronto Star

columnist Dave Perkins

"Without actually hearing or seeing it, you can be sure Roy (Doc) Halladay was going at least a little crazy the past couple of weeks. Watching Cliff Lee star for the Phillies for a month, then seeing A.J. Burnett get a World Series ring with the Yankees, despite blowing up in two potential clinching post-season games, would make Halladay squirm: When does he get his chance to do this? That is what he lives for, the competition and chance to win. He hasn't had it with the Blue Jays and, at age 32, with one more big contract in front of him, it's not about the money. He has more than he'll ever need. It's strictly about the opportunity to go where Lee and Burnett, among many others, have ..."

Phillies should start building for next year, starting with acquiring Halladay

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November 6

Philadelphia Daily News

columnist Rich Hofmann

"AFTER THE STING wears off and everybody gets a couple of nights' sleep, the quiet pride in the accomplishment of making it to a second consecutive World Series will envelop Phillies' general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., and all of them. They should be given some time to enjoy it, too - especially the general manager who is just finishing his first season. Because it was Amaro who brought Raul Ibanez here and it was Amaro who brought Cliff Lee here. They were huge moves, winning moves, and the general manager deserves an opportunity to bask in the whole thing for a good little while. OK, time's up. What to do to this roster for the 2010 season is the subject that will consume Phillies fans for ..."

Halladay says fired GM stood up for him

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October 4

Toronto Sun

"Roy Halladay wanted to set the record straight. During those crazy days at the end of July when J.P. Ricciardi was testing the trade market for Halladay, it was presumed by many that the Blue Jays GM was unnecessarily embarrassing the franchise's crown jewel. Not true, says Halladay. "J.P. always looked out for my best interests," Halladay said yesterday. "That was lost in a lot of that. I think people blamed him for that. Knowing the situation, the team was in and my situation, he was looking out for my best interests. "He took a lot of flak for that and he shouldn't have. I'll always appreciate that he did stand up and defend me. I always thought that he was in my corner. He is a ..."

Halladay gives fans a finish to remember

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September 26

Toronto Star

"The Rogers Centre fans, 20,668 strong, stood as one when Roy Halladay emerged from the dugout and trotted to the mound to start the ninth. They stayed on their feet cheering through the final Mariners' at-bat in a 5-0 complete-game shutout, feeling this might be the last chance to show their appreciation. After Halladay (16-10) accepted the congratulations of his teammates, he looked into the stands, doffed his cap and waved it over his head as if he believed that maybe this was indeed his final start at home. It seemed the right thing to do on both sides."

Slumping Doc still a stud on mound

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September 15

Toronto Star

"According to those in the know within the clubhouse, there is nothing wrong with Jays ace Roy Halladay. His stature as one of the game's best will in no way be affected by his struggle to put wins on the board since the trade deadline. "You can go look at Albert Pujos and say in a two-week stretch, he hit .130," catcher Rod Barajas argued. "Are you going to say he's a bad player, that his abilities are going down? At every position you have your slumps, you have your struggles. "You have times where things just aren't going right. The ball's not bouncing your way. And as a pitcher you go out there and they don't hit the ball hard once, but they seem to find that outfield grass. To go on a ..."

Twins' Carl Pavano outguns Jays' ace Roy Halladay

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September 10

St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Years removed from the days when the word "ace" might have accompanied his name, Carl Pavano had a flashback Wednesday night at the Rogers Centre. Working against the Blue Jays' Roy Halladay, Pavano was a vision of what could have been had he spent those wasted four years with the New York Yankees on the mound dueling the American League East's best rather than on the disabled list. As if he had saved up all those seasons of injury angst to dazzle for one night, Pavano went toe to toe with Halladay's dominance. With a chance to match one of the best right-handers in baseball, and on a night his ballclub so desperately needed to win, Pavano led the way. "I think he knew what we needed, ..."

Jays sag, Halladay fumes

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September 10

Toronto Star

"Half an hour after last night's 4-1 loss to the Minnesota Twins, Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay was still fuming. From the back of the Jays' clubhouse he stalked to his locker, fired a crumpled towel into a nearby hamper, then turned, scowling, to face a waiting group of reporters. Halladay had cruised through most of the game, having allowed only one run through seven innings. But a string of misplaced pitches led to the solid contact that led in turn to the late collapse that cost the Jays and their best pitcher yet another game."

As plain as his face

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September 10

Toronto Sun

columnist Ken Fidlin

"No matter where the road leads this off-season, Roy Halladay remains the face of the Blue Jays franchise. For now. Perhaps 45 minutes after the Minnesota Twins had put the finishing touches on a 4-1 victory over Halladay and the Jays, that face was still reflecting the frustration, the anger and the pure, unadulterated abhorrence of losing. Most nights after he pitches, Halladay's face is an inscrutable mask. Not last night. You could see every mistake, every missed opportunity, every unfettered emotion flickering behind those eyes. "No, I'm not happy. It's frustrating. Another frustrating game. You learn from them and move on," he said."

Doc Halladay shuts down Yankees

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September 5

Toronto Star

"Roy Halladay was back in form last night – darn near perfect form. The big right-hander ended his three-start losing skid in electric fashion, holding the New York Yankees' league-leading offence to one hit and going the distance in a 6-0 shutout. With the Yankees gunning for their eighth straight win, there was certainly potential for Halladay losing what would have been a career-high fourth straight start. Instead, he came up like the Halladay of old."

Halladay's one-hitter snaps Yanks' streak

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September 5

New York Daily News

"Apparently, there's nothing in the Joba Rules about pitching well. Joba Chamberlain was hit hard during another abbreviated three-inning stint, and the Derek Jeter-less Yankees managed one hit in dropping a 6-0 decision to Roy Halladay and the Blue Jays, snapping the Bombers' seven-game winning streak. Chamberlain (8-5), who needed 59 pitches to get through his short outing, gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks, also hitting a batter. "We have a plan and we're going to stick to it," Joe Girardi said. "I thought he was aggressive with his fastball and he did the things we wanted, but unfortunately we didn't score any runs." That's because Halladay (14-8), the 2003 AL ..."

Halladay's One-Hitter Ends Streak at 7 Games

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September 5

New York Times

"Johnny Damon veered straight into the clubhouse after Friday's game. Not in anger, but in amazement. He confirmed what his eyes had just seen but his mind could still not quite grasp. Just as in his previous three at-bats, the ball came out of Roy Halladay's hand in the eighth inning with the velocity of a fastball and the zigzag movement of a changeup. Damon had struck out on three pitches in his fourth and final at-bat. Now, he smiled. "Just making sure that it wasn't just me that thought that pitch was impossible to hit," he said. There were plenty of pitches like that one to Damon to go around Friday as Halladay held the Yankees to one hit. He retired the first 14 batters in order and ..."

Boston's recycled Paul Byrd easily tops Roy Halladay

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August 31

Toronto Star

"A small group of Blue Jays sat at a table in the middle of their cramped Fenway Park clubhouse, picking over a post-game meal, their expressions as blank as the flat-screen TV bolted to a nearby pillar. As other players scrambled to change clothes and catch the team bus to the airport, the room remained silent except for the sound of the showers beyond the last row of lockers and a clubhouse attendant beating dirt from cleats in the next room."

Boston's recycled Paul Byrd easily tops Roy Halladay

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August 31

Toronto Star

"A small group of Blue Jays sat at a table in the middle of their cramped Fenway Park clubhouse, picking over a post-game meal, their expressions as blank as the flat-screen TV bolted to a nearby pillar. As other players scrambled to change clothes and catch the team bus to the airport, the room remained silent except for the sound of the showers beyond the last row of lockers and a clubhouse attendant beating dirt from cleats in the next room. After the Jays' deflating 7-0 loss that sealed their second series sweep at Fenway this season, there wasn't much to say. They sent their best pitcher, all-star Roy Halladay, out against a Boston team whose starter, Paul Byrd, had been jobless until ..."

Ailing Doc fails to find cure

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August 25

Toronto Sun

"Roy Halladay, pre non-waiver trade deadline, and Roy Halladay post deadline, are not the same. The Tampa Bay Rays collected 12 hits and eight runs -- seven earned -- off Halladay in six innings on the way to a 12-7 victory last night before 17,184 fans at the Rogers Centre. Halladay had gone 78 consecutive starts not allowing more than five runs. Halladay said the 26 days of "will you approve a trade to ...?" questions have not taken their toll. "I don't think it is affecting me," Halladay said. "I think that's false. I have to pay more attention to detail." The 12 hits allowed by Halladay were a season high and saw his record since trade talks began July 6 fall to 3-5 with a 3.91 ..."

Halladay smacked around by Rays

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August 25

Toronto Star

"Blue Jays ace Roy (Doc) Halladay doesn't want to hear about bad luck, even though the Tampa Bay Rays benefited from some fortunate bounces during their three-run first inning. And he doesn't want to hear about fatigue, even though he has only logged one outing shorter than six innings this season and that happened only because he injured his groin in the third inning that night."

Halladay (sigh) no longer in mix for Cy

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August 25

Toronto Star

columnist Richard Griffin

"If the Cy Young was simply awarded to the best pitcher in each league, statistics be damned, then Roy Halladay would have won it more than once. But over 162 games, bleeders can get through, bloops can drop in, broken bats can produce hits, a pitcher's offence can slump and hurlers blessed with lesser talent can stay hot for most of six months."

Rays batter Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay

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August 25

St. Petersburg Times

"By the time Monday's game was finally sorted out and the 12-7 win properly celebrated and serenaded by Ring of Fire, the Rays were left to ponder an interesting question: Was it more impressive the way their hitters - minus Carl Crawford, who left early with low back tightness - rallied again against Blue Jays ace-against-everybody-else Roy Halladay after their early 3-0 lead turned into a 6-3 deficit, or how starter Jeff Niemann recovered after giving it back in a messy five-run second to work into the seventh for his major-league rookie-high 12th win? Both were significant accomplishments, as was the overall result: a rare big win on the road. The victory improved the Rays to 68-56, ..."

Fans say Doc should get a deal

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August 21

Toronto Star

"Toronto's baseball talent offered their opinions on the Roy Halladay saga at yesterday's open tryout with Major League Baseball's scouting bureau. The verdict? Halladay – though dearly loved and respected – should be dealt as soon as possible. "It's time," said Conner Lillis White, 17. "The Jays aren't going anywhere.""

David Ortiz powers Boston Red Sox past Roy Halladay, Blue Jays

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August 20

New York Daily News

"There was big potential, especially with Boston sending Clay Buchholz to the mound. The 25-year-old righthander was in the group of prospects Boston GM Theo Epstein deemed too much to give, even for a high-impact arm like the former Cy Young winner. At least for last night the decision looked wise. Since the deadline, the Red Sox' starting rotation looked very bad and Halladay very good. Before last night Boston starters were 3-6 with a 4.72 ERA and the team was 7-9 overall. Halladay had gone 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA in three starts. But Buchholz fastball crackled around 95 mph and his breaking pitches occasionally froze Toronto hitters as he went six innings and allowed only one run on six ..."

Halladay's short, rough night

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August 20

Toronto Star

columnist Richard Griffin

"On the rare occasion when Roy Halladay does not take his best stuff to the mound, it seems to invite a Blue Jay losing streak. Last night, the usually reliable starting ace lasted just five innings, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks as the Jays dropped a 6-1 decision to the Red Sox in front of 25,925 fans at the Rogers Centre. "It's amplified," Halladay said in a silent clubhouse. "Good teams make you pay more. Regardless, I think I just did a bad job of pitching ahead aggressively. I was always kind of behind, fighting my way through it." It was the Jays' fourth consecutive loss, dropping them eight games under .500 for the first time since May 10, 2007. It was just the ..."

Roy Halladay's all business against Rays

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August 15

Toronto Star

"Talk will heat up soon regarding the American League Cy Young race and, when it does, Roy Halladay's name will be front and centre. Some doubts about Halladay's inclusion among the top contenders arose the past few weeks, but he stomped them into submission here last night with another of his dominating outings. This was Halladay at his best, as the big right-hander trimmed back a victory-starved Tampa club 5-2 before 21,522 at Tropicana Field. Halladay worked eight innings, scattering eight hits and striking out six."

Blue Jays hanging Halladay out to dry

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August 5

Toronto Star

"Now that they have Roy Halladay, for however long both sides can agree to continue this marriage, perhaps the Blue Jays can figure out what else is required if they're ever going to contend again. You know, maybe get some of those little things. Like defence and timely hitting. They didn't get enough of either in falling 5-3 to the Yankees as veteran Andy Pettitte more than matched Halladay in an excellent performance. So the downward spiral continues for Toronto. Another AL East team shows up and the Blue Jays look overmatched, even with Halladay starting. They're 12-23 now against the kids in their own backyard. The back-to-back homers by Johnny Damon – Halladay's No.1 career nemesis – ..."

Doc Halladay's opinion of J. P. Ricciardi? No comment

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August 5

Toronto Star

"Suddenly the past three weeks of daily trade deadline furor over the professional fate of Roy Halladay seems so meaningless. Tonight, the Jays' main man toes the rubber for the first time since the significant nothing of Friday's sound and fury. The Yankees are in town so the size of the crowd in the stands at the Rogers Centre will be significant, but Halladay's start will not. He's a Jay until further notice but we're not sure how or what he feels because he's not talking about it, now or ever. His silence is deafening and defining. Up until Friday night he had been all about cooperating with the media and, through them, communicating with the fans."

My guess: Doc outlasts J.P.

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August 2

Toronto Sun

columnist Steve Simmons

"So who goes first -- Roy Halladay or J.P. Ricciardi? That is the question in the wake of the big-talk, little action, Blue Jays trade deadline front. Does Ricciardi get replaced, as he should be at the conclusion of another season gone nowhere, or will he be around in the winter to attempt to deal Halladay, re-sign the pitcher, or make a sales pitch to build around him with his usual bafflegab? The betting here is that Halladay will outlast Ricciardi as a Jay, that the new president and incoming general manager will try to convince the pitcher it is worth staying in Toronto, and if the team isn't any better a year from now, they can go through the entire trade talk process again."

At end of day, no Halladay

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August 2

Boston Globe

"Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi was still recovering from the 300 text messages, 150 e-mails, countless telephone calls, and erroneous media reports, but he was most disappointed that one of the 10 teams that showed interest in Roy Halladay didn't meet his demands. He indicated that only two or three teams tried to make a deal, but "we never came close.'' So the best pitcher in baseball stayed put because teams wouldn't pay up four or five prospects. I asked him, "Would you have taken the very deal you demanded if you were in position to win it all by acquiring Roy Halladay?'' "We wouldn't have hesitated,'' Ricciardi said. "In the eight years I've been here, if we had a chance to ..."

Rolen rolls out, Halladay sticks around

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August 1

Toronto Star

"The trade deadline, without waivers, came and went yesterday at 4 p.m. and while the much discussed and highly coveted Roy Halladay remained a Blue Jay, GM J.P. Ricciardi did make one deal, his fifth July trade in eight years. The Jays sent veteran third baseman Scott Rolen to the Cincinnati Reds for third baseman Edwin Encarnacion and a pair of right-handed pitchers, Josh Roenicke and Zach Stewart. Rolen, apparently, had requested the trade but was unavailable for comment as he made plans to get to his new home in time for today's game. He never made it to the A's ballpark. Halladay declined to discuss his feelings on remaining a Jay. "We're going to miss Rolen," manager Cito Gaston said. ..."

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 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 ..."

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 ..."

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."

Bats melt in Seattle sauna as Halladay outing wasted

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July 30

Toronto Sun

"At one point yesterday afternoon, the thermometer in the full sun of the bullpen at Safeco Field hit 122 degrees on the Fahrenheit scale (50C) on the hottest day in Seattle's recorded history. When his afternoon was over, Roy Halladay, who may have pitched -- and lost -- his last game as a Blue Jay yesterday, was asked whether the heat, or the uncertainty of his future, was more oppressive. "Both," said Halladay. He might have added a third option -- "Losing" -- because nobody hates losing more than Halladay. This 3-2 defeat at the hands of the Seattle Mariners had an all-too-familiar ring to it."

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 ..."

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, ..."

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 ..."

Doc Halladay decision will define Blue Jays

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July 29

Toronto Star

"Without knowing whether or not the Blue Jays will trade Roy Halladay today, tomorrow or next winter, how about one other possibility? How about never? Does that work? Do we mind holding on to baseball's best starting pitcher for another 45 or so starts before his contract runs out at the end of the 2010 season? The Blue Jays are at a serious crossroads at this point in their existence. What they do with Halladay, either short- or long-term, is a defining moment, at least here, on what kind of franchise they want to be from now on. Are they going to become a team that finds and develops talent and then trades it off for more and more "prospects" when it gets good or expensive? Are the Blue ..."

Toronto's Roy Halladay is a fan of Mariners' Felix Hernandez

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July 29

Seattle Times

"One of the dominant major-league pitchers this decade says it's obvious Felix Hernandez has graduated from a young Mariners phenom to a top-of-the-rotation arm. Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay, who met Hernandez at this month's All-Star Game, said before Monday night's contest that Seattle's No. 1 starter has "dominating type of stuff" and has learned the consistency his role demands. "I think you look at results at this point," Halladay said. "I think when guys first come up, you look at the stuff and you try to project. But until guys are able to do it consistently, not only start-to-start, but year-in, year-out, I think that's kind of the turning point where we go from what we think ..."

Club in on Roy Halladay sweepstakes

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July 29

Boston Herald

"The Red Sox and Roy Halladay continue to be linked in trade discussions, even as the prospects of any team successfully pulling off a blockbuster trade for the right-handed ace may be dwindling. According to those who talked to the Blue Jays as recently as yesterday, the team is not close to approving any deal for Halladay, who is eligible for free agency after the 2010 season. The likelihood is he will stay in Toronto. Offers from teams, including the Sox, have been fair enough but simply not good enough. The Phillies and Rangers are also involved in the sweepstakes. According to one source, the Blue Jays have turned down a Red Sox proposal, but the Sox have not turned down any proposals ..."

Boston adds Buchholz to Halladay offer

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July 28

Yahoo! Sports

"The Boston Red Sox have offered at least three players – no-hit pitcher Clay Buchholz, Triple-A pitching prospect Michael Bowden and top outfield prospect Ryan Westmoreland – to the Toronto Blue Jays for ace Roy Halladay, according to a source with knowledge of the negotiations. Because the Blue Jays, who are vigorously shopping Marco Scutaro, are also looking for a shortstop, the Red Sox may be trying to draw a third team into negotiations to satisfy Toronto's need. Both of Boston general manager Theo Epstein's trading-deadline blockbusters of the last five years have involved multiple teams: When the Red Sox traded shortstop Nomar Garciaparra at the deadline in 2004, three other teams ..."

Angels, Halladay rumors cool considerably

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July 28

Orange County Register

"Angels general manager Tony Reagins said Monday he did not anticipate making a trade in the next 24 hours. It just so happens the Toronto Blue Jays set a soft deadline of today for trading ace right-hander Roy Halladay. While the Angels view that deadline as extendable, they appear to be moving in another direction after hearing Toronto's asking price. Reports said Toronto asked for Joe Saunders, Erick Aybar, Brandon Wood and outfielder Peter Bourjos. The Angels, wary of blowing a hole in their 25-man roster, appear now to be targeting the reigning AL Cy Young winner, Cleveland left-hander Cliff Lee. Reagins would not address either pitcher by name, but he said: "We're having multiple ..."

Source: Trade talks between Jays and Phillies 'not going well'

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July 27

ESPN.com

"The Toronto Blue Jays and Phillies continue to talk about a deal that would send Roy Halladay to Philadelphia. But those talks are "not going well," one source with knowledge of the discussions told ESPN.com. The Phillies are attempting to trade for Halladay without including their top pitching prospect, Kyle Drabek, in the package. But while the Blue Jays are softening on their self-imposed Tuesday deadline to trade their ace, they are not backing off their proposal for what the Phillies would have to give up. That proposed deal would bring Drabek, pitcher J.A. Happ and the Phillies' best outfield prospect, Dominic Brown, to Toronto in exchange for the 32-year-old Halladay. And an ..."

Phillies remain frontrunners on Halladay, but looking at Lee

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July 27

SI.com

(scroll down)

"The Phillies have identified Lee as their first fallback option should their talks with the Blue Jays fail to land them Halladay, and they scouted Lee's last two starts as he continues to pitch beautifully. There's been a lot of jockeying and posturing between the Phils and Jays over Halladay, but Philly remains by far the most logical landing spot considering their keen interest and stash of worthy prospects. While the Phillies blanched at one Jays' proposal of Kyle Drabek, J.A. Happ and Dominic Brown (as they should have), feathers have been ruffled and apparently Halladay himself is now getting anxious, the sides have continued to exchange ideas. Though there remains a difference of ..."

Yankees eyeing Washburn and long shot Halladay

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July 27

SI.com

"Knowing their chances remain slim for superstar pitcher Roy Halladay and even slimmer for star pitcher Cliff Lee, the Yankees called the pitching-strong Mariners on Saturday to inquire about their status as buyer or seller. The Yankees need a starting pitcher, and Jarrod Washburn is a pitcher they've liked for years. But while GM Jack Zduriencik over the weekend informed the Yankees, Dodgers and other teams interested in their players that they weren't yet ready to sell, there's a sense around baseball Seattle still might make a deadline switch. Ownership historically hasn't been anxious to sell, but realistically, they don't have enough offense to compete with the Angels or Rangers. Erik ..."