Halladay is on the market

By Jonathan Atwood on July 7th, 2009 12:31 PM

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According to a report by MLB.com reporter Tom Singer, Toronto Blue Jays’ GM J.P. Ricciardi will now consider offers for ace pitcher Roy Halladay.

Halladay “We have to see what’s out there,” Ricciardi said to Fox Sports. “I’m not saying we’re going to shop him. But if something makes sense, we at least have to listen. We’re [leaning] more toward listening than we’ve ever been.”

This is a change of focus since Ricciardi was on with ESPN Radio in Philadelphia when the Blue Jays were in town when he told Jodi Mac and Harry Mayes that he was not interested in trading Holliday.

Being seven games out in arguably the toughest division in sports can help change a GM’s focus.

Halladay is 10-2 on the season with a 2.79 ERA and has arguably been the best pitcher in the major leagues over the past four or five years. Since 2005, Halladay has a record of 74-29.

While the Phillies are in definite need of another quality arm, they have quite a bit of company. In addition to the Phillies, the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, and Brewers are all contenders in need of pitching, and the pricetag for Halladay is expected to be steep.

The market for quality starting pitching is bare. Possible trade contenders Jake Peavy and Erik Bedard are on the disabled list. The Indians are reportedly asking for an obscene return for starter Cliff Lee. The market has become so thin, largely due to the fact that most of the league is still in contention, that the Phillies are in the Dominican Republic today checking out Pedro Martinez as he throws a bullpen session in an attempt to get back into the majors. Martinez has a 4.99 ERA in 25 starts over the last two seasons.

Expect the Yankees and Red Sox to be particularly aggressive as Halladay would likely make the difference in their quest for the division. One factor going in the Phillies’ favor is that the Blue Jays will likely be leery of trading Halladay within their own division.

Halladay has a full no-trade clause in a contract that runs through next season. He is being paid $14.25 million this year and is due to earn $15.75 million in 2010.