Erick Aybar - Baseball Rumor Mill

Roy Halladay Rumors, 12/9

tiaradio@hotmail.com (Knuckles) — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:05:19 EST

Roy Halladay is sure to keep the hot stove stoked all winter long. Here are today's rumors surrounding the possiblity that the Blue Jays will trade Hallady.

The Angels have offered Joe Saunders, Erick Aybar and Peter Bourjos to the Blue Jays for Halladay says Bob Elliot of the Toronto Sun. Jordan Bastian of mlb.com believes that Halladay might not waive his no trade clause to go to Los Angeles.
Even if they get Halladay, Lyle Spencer of mlb.com reports they might be able to add a second elite pitcher like John Lackey as well. Angels GM Tony Reagins says that it's "possible, but not likely."
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated notes that the Phillies are in the mix for Halladay. Jordan Bastain of mlb.com agrees. Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. is playing his cards close to the vest, saying that the Phillies making a trade for a major pitcher is unlikely.
Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos does not believe that Tornoto will move Halladay during the winter meetings. Buster Olney of espn.com reports that the Jays are still in information gathering mode.
The Yankees have inquired about Halladay and and the Blue Jays have reportedly asked for Jesus Montero and either Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain and other pieces in return. Joel Sherman of the New York Post notes that the Yankees are very involved in the Halladay discussions. The New York/Halladay rumors remind Sherman of the Mark Teixeira situation last year.

Roy Halladay rumors are swirling all over the country

More On Halladay

tiaradio@hotmail.com (Knuckles) — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:04:44 EST

Yesterday brought word that the Blue Jays are willing to listen to offers for ace Roy Halladay. Today there's plenty of reaction and speculation. Let's take a look.

An intial report has the Phillies as the "leaders" for Halladay, but that is likely only based on their obvious interest in acquiring a pitcher...any pitcher. What can the Phillies really offer the Blue Jays? Shortstop Jason Donald is considered their best prospect and after that they have a few 50-100 range ranked prospects, but not the haul that the Jays are likely looking for.
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated notes that the Jays were interested in Donald last year.
Heyman speculates about how impressive the Giants roster would be if Halladay were added. That would give them four former Cy Young award winners AND Matt Cain. Certainly Barry Zito and Randy Johnson are not the same pitchers, but they're pretty good for #4 and #5 pitchers.
While the White Sox would not trade Gordon Beckham for Jake Peavy Heyman says they'd consider moving the prospect for Halladay. I don't entirely understand this unless they actually like that Halladay is only signed through 2010 while Peavy is under contract through 2013.
The Cardinals seem unlikely to have the prospects to get a trade for Halladay done.
Phillies general manager Rubin Amaro Jr. said that the Phillies do have the financial flexibility to add an ace pitcher like Halladay.
Joel Sherman of The New York Post confirms the sentiment that the Phillies are in the lead for Halladay and notes that the Rangers and Cardinals could be players as well (as we indicated yesterday).
In his discussion with Sherman Blue Jays general manager JP Riccardi noted that discussions with other teams has been very preliminary and while they're always interested in teams' best prospect, if they got a shortstop out of the deal, that would be preferable. However, Halladay does have a no trade clause and has already provided Riccardi with a list of teams that he is not interested in playing for. The Jays are able to afford Halladay for 2010 if they need to, so Riccardi is trying to give the impression that they are not desperate to move their star pitcher. He does not, however, think they'd be able to resign him after 2010.
Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein has given no indication that the team is interested in acquiring Halladay. That's a bit of a misnomer. I'm sure they're very interested, but just not for the price tag that it will realistically take to get him.
Lyle Weber of mlb.com throws out major leaguers Erick Aybar, Joe Saunders or Ervin Santana and minor leaguers Brandon Wood, Sean O'Sullivan and Jordan Walden as possible pieces to group together in a package offer for Halladay. It seems unlikely that the Jays would be interested in Aybar or Saunders, but Santana could get their attention along with Wood.

Eight Thoughts From Peter Gammons

tiaradio@hotmail.com (Knuckles) — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 10:56:35 EST

Peter Gammons has a new article up on espn.com with a lot of great rumors and notes. Here are some highlights:

It does not seem likely that the Angles will pay what Francisco Rodriguez is looking for on the open market. Bobby Thigpen broke down after his 57 save season and the Angles have viable replacements in Scot Shields and Jose Arredondo. They'd much rather spend the money going after CC Sabathia.
Orioles owner Peter Angelos nixed trades of Miguel Tejada for Manny Ramirez and Tejada for Erick Aybar, Ervin Santana and Arredondo. Wow.
The Royals face a difficult decision of what to do with Zack Greinke. He will be an unrestricted free agent in 2010 at 27 years old and the Royals would be unlikely to be able to sign him at that point. Do the Royals try to sign him now in his arbitration years or look to move him for multiple prospects to teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, both Los Angeles teams, the Cubs, or Rangers?