The Roy Halladay controversy of whether or not the Toronto Blue Jays will trade their ace pitcher continues throughout the All-Star break.

On the brink of Halladay’s All Star game start for the American League squad Halladay has had to field numerous questions, not about his All-Star game start, but about his future with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Halladay spoke with the media yesterday and in response to trade speculation answered with the following.

“There’s a point in your career where you just need to take the chance and win,”

“I think at this point, I’m ready to take the chance and try to win.

“I’m somewhere I enjoy being,” the right-hander said of Toronto.

“I’ve spent my entire career here. I think there’s a lot that goes into it. But I think as a player, there is that will to win and that will to do it in October. And basically that’s all this has been about. I would like that chance. I’m not saying it won’t be Toronto. It’s what’s going to be best for the organization, and are we going to be able to do that?”

Reports speculate that a few teams interested in Halladay have the bidding pieces to become large suitors in acquiring the six time All-Star.

Andy Martino of the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote the piece “Roy Halladay, Phils make eyes at one another”. Martino, suggests the Phillies as a possible suitor in this article.

You can view it here:

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/sports/20090714_Roy_Halladay__Phils_make_eyes_at_one_another.html

Jeff Blair of the Globe & Mail writes in his article titled “Doc makes his pitch” that Halladay has told St.Louis Cardinals pitcher and friend Chris Carpenter that he would prefer St.Louis as a destination, see Blair’s article below:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/doc-makes-his-pitch/article1217115/

MLB Fanhouse reports that for J.P Ricciardi to even consider a trade of Roy Halladay teams would have to offer a package similar to what Arizona gave up for Dan Haren or that of what Seattle gave up for Erik Bedard.

http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/07/12/halladay-to-start-all-star-game-for-al

Haren was traded from the Oakland Athletics to the Arizona Diamondbacks on December 14th 2007 with Connor Robertson for six players.

Those six players were: Carlos Gonzalez, Brett Anderson, Aaron Cunningham, Greg Smith, Dana Eveland, & Chris Carter.

On February 8th 2008 Bedard was traded from the Baltimore Orioles to the Seattle Mariners for five players.

Those five players were: Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Tony Butler, Chris Tillman, & Kam Mickolio.

Let’s take a look at what the possible trade chips from Philadelphia and St.Louis could possibly be and determine if they are suitable for Toronto to lose the face of their franchise.

Baseball Prospectus ranks the Philadelphia Phillies current top 11 prospects in the following order:

1. Carlos Carrasco, RHP
2. Michael Taylor, RF
3. Kyle Drabek, RHP
4. Travis D’Arnaud, C
5. Lou Marson, C
6. Jason Donald, SS
7. Dominic Brown, OF
8. J.A. Happ, LHP
9. Zach Collier, RF
10. Jason Knapp, RHP
11. Anthony Hewitt, 3B

Above MLB Fanhouse stated that in order for J.P Ricciardi to even think about a Halladay trade he would need a package similar to that of the Bedard/Haren deals.

Let us use the Bedard deal as a landscape and say Halladay would require five players in return for his services.

Of those five players Baltimore acquired in the Erik Bedard deal from Seattle, you had Adam Jones, the top prospect in the Seattle organization at the time, who is now an American League All-Star, in his second full season.

George Sherrill, a left handed specialist with major league experience, now full time closer and one time All Star for Baltimore.

Chris Tillman, a highly touted right handed pitcher who currently sits as the number two prospect in the Baltimore organization.

Kam Mickolio, a throw in reliever who currently pitches for the major league squad, and finally Tony Butler another throw in left handed pitching prospect, who is currently pitching for the Orioles Class A affiliate Delmarva Shoebirds.

Let’s first take a look at what Philadelphia has to offer.

The Phillies top prospect according to Baseball Prospectus is pitcher Carlos Carrasco.

Carrasco currently has a record of 5-8, 5.00ERA, 102.2IP, 108H, 11HR, 34BB, 99K in 18GS @ Triple A Lehigh Valley.

The Phillies possess two left handed veteran specialists in their bullpen. One being Scott Eyre, the other is J.C Romero.

It is very doubtful that the Phillies would give up one of the best left handed relievers in baseball in Romero, so that leaves Eyre.

Eyre has made it apparent this season to the baseball media that he will retire at the end of this season, leaving the Phillies with no comparable option similar to George Sherrill.

Let’s say for precedence sake that the Phillies replace a Sherrill clone with the likes of right handed relievers Chan Ho Park or Tyler Walker. Both Park and Walker are aging veteran relievers, who still have some value to teams in need of relief pitching.

The number two prospect in the Phillies organization according to Baseball Prospectus is outfielder Michael Taylor.

Taylor is currently playing for the Philadelphia Phillies Double A affiliate Reading Phillies.

Taylor has been impressive with a .333AVG, 15HR, 65RBI, 18SB, 106H, 22 doubles, 4 triples in 318AB in 86GS.

Taylor has the potential to be a five tool player, but has not proven himself above the minor league level as of yet.

The Jays could request a player similar to Mickolio in Phillies minor league reliever Chance Chapman (3-1, 1SV, 0.77ERA, 23.1IP, 14H, 7BB, 18K in 11G @ Double A Reading).

Mickolio’s career major league numbers are 0-1, 4.66ERA, 0SV in 1 SVO, 9.2IP, 8H, 4BB, 9K in 11G.

Chapman is a 25 year old right handed former starter, converted reliever, standing 6’4 weighing 210lbs. Mickolio is a 25 year old, 6’9, 255LB right hander who has some major league experience. Not too big of a difference between the two.

Finally, the Jays could select from a slew of A ball pitchers in the Phillies organization similar to Tony Butler.

Butler is a 21 year old, big left handed pitcher standing 6’7, weighing 220lbs and posted the following 2008 numbers at the Orioles A ball affiliate Delmarva Shoebirds (3-4, 4.42ERA, 55IP, 59H, 11BB, 44K, in 11GS).

For comparison sake let’s say the Jays ask for a comparable left handed prospect in Nicholas Hernandez.

Hernandez’s current numbers at A ball affiliate Williamsport Crosscutters are 1-0, 1.82ERA, 24.2IP, 19H, 9BB, 17K in 5GS.

So a comparable 5 for 1 Roy Halladay swap, similar to the Erik Bedard deal through Philadelphia, looks like this:

Philadelphia’s top prospect – Carlos Carrasco (5-8, 5.00ERA, 102.2IP, 108H, 11HR, 34BB, 99K in 18GS @ Triple A Lehigh Valley)

A veteran major league ready reliever – Chan Ho Park (3-2, 5.49ERA, 59IP, 64H, 26BB, 50K) or Tyler Walker (1-0, 1.64ERA, 11IP, 10H, 1BB, 5K)

Philadelphia’s number two prospect – Michael Taylor – (.333AVG, 15HR, 65RBI, 18SB, 106H, 22 doubles, 4 triples in 318AB in 86GS @ Double A Reading)

A minor league pitcher who could possibly be a major league reliever – Chance Chapman (3-1, 1SV, 0.77ERA, 23.1IP, 14H, 7BB, 18K in 11G @ Double A Reading)

A low ball pitching prospect – Nicholas Hernandez – (1-0, 1.82ERA, 24.2IP, 19H, 9BB, 17K in 5GS @ A ball affiliate Williamsport)

Now let’s take a look at what St.Louis has to offer following a similar Bedard kind of deal.

Baseball Prospectus ranks the St.Louis Cardinals current top 11 prospects in the following order:

1. Colby Rasmus, CF
2. Brett Wallace, 3B
3. Chris Perez, RHP – Traded to Cleveland in Mark DeRosa deal
4. Daryl Jones, LF
5. Jess Todd, RHP
6. Adam Reifer, RHP
7. Bryan Anderson, C
8. Jaime Garcia, LHP
9. Lance Lynn, RHP
10. Jason Motte, RHP
11. Niko Vasquez, SS

The Cardinals top prospect according to Baseball Prospectus is outfielder Colby Rasmus.

Rasmus is currently playing center field for the major league Cardinals, so I wouldn’t call him a prospect anymore, but Rasmus is still close.

Rasmus has the following statistics (.278AVG, 11HR, 34RBI, 1SB, 270AB in 82G).

Those are very respectable major league rookie numbers for a 22 year old.

Rasmus is only going to get better as he matures and plays more in the major leagues.

The Cardinals possess a veteran left handed pitching specialist in their bullpen, similar to George Sherill, in Dennys Reyes.

Reyes current numbers for the Cardinals are (0-1, 4.15ERA, 1SV in 1SVO, 21.2IP, 20H, 9BB, 20K in 42G).

The number two prospect in the Cardinals organization according to Baseball Prospectus is third baseman Brett Wallace.

Wallace currently plays for the Cardinals Triple A affiliate Memphis Redbirds and his current statistics are (.281AVG, 5HR, 16RBI, 36H, 5 doubles, 128AB, in 32G).

The Cardinals possess a reliever similar to Kam Mickolio in Matthew Scherer.

Scherer is a 26 year old right handed relief pitcher who stands 6’5 and weighs 260LBS.

Scherer’s current statistics at Triple A Memphis are (1-1, 2.66ERA, 1SV, 47.1IP, 46H, 11BB, 31K).

Finally, the same thing applies for the Jays acquiring, as I mentioned above, a player similar to Tony Butler from the Cardinals. The Jays have plenty of options similar to Tony Butler to choose from.

For comparison sake let’s say the Jays ask for a comparable left handed prospect in Kevin Siegrist.

Siegrist’s current numbers at A ball affiliate Batavia Muckdogs are (1-0, 2.57ERA, 14.0IP, 15H, 5BB, 12K in 3GS).

So a comparable 5 for 1 Roy Halladay swap, similar to the Erik Bedard deal, through St.Louis looks like this:

St.Louis’ top prospect – Colby Rasmus – (.278AVG, 11HR, 34RBI, 1SB, 270AB in 82G @ the major league level).

A veteran major league ready reliever – Dennys Reyes – (0-1, 4.15ERA, 1SV in 1SVO, 21.2IP, 20H, 9BB, 20K in 42G).

St.Louis’ number two prospect – Brett Wallace – (.281AVG, 5HR, 16RBI, 36H, 5 doubles, 128AB, in 32G @ Triple A Memphis)

A minor league pitcher who could possibly be a major league reliever – Matthew Scherer – (1-1, 2.66ERA, 1SV, 47.1IP, 46H, 11BB, 31K @ Triple A Memphis)

A low ball pitching prospect – Kevin Siegrist – ((1-0, 2.57ERA, 14.0IP, 15H, 5BB, 12K in 3GS @ Single A Batavia).

Now after comparing the numbers I would have to say dealing with St.Louis looks like a much better deal, especially considering Halladay would leave happy, as St.Louis is one of the options of a team he’d like to play for.

But in all honesty, I don’t think a five player package from either Philadelphia or St.Louis, even one consisting of highly touted prospects such as Colby Rasmus, Carlos Carrasco, Brett Wallace, or Michael Taylor is going to convince this writer that Roy Halladay is worth that little.

I’ve written it before and I’ll write it again.

Halladay is the face of the Toronto Blue Jays franchise and to let him go would be a devastating blow to baseball not only in Toronto, but in Canada.

I, as well as many other Blue Jays fans, hope that J.P Ricciardi, Paul Beeston, and the Rogers Cable conglomerate make the right decision. They should pony up the dough and help Halladay succeed, in achieving his first championship, with the Toronto Blue Jays.