Reports from USA today have indicated a possible trade between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers that will send the Jays’ coveted ace Roy Halladay to the Dodgers for Chad Billingsley and several minor league prospects. This will solidify the Jays as a rebuilding team for the foreseeable future.
Roy Halladay has been the foundation of the Jays’ staff for nearly a decade and the trade will put an end to any hopes the team have at a playoff run in 2010. In 2009, Halladay had a 17-10 record, 9 complete games with a 2.79 era over 239.0 innings pitched.
If reports are accurate, Toronto will receive a very promising young right handed pitcher in Chad Billingsley. He posted a 12-11 record in 2009 with a 4.03 era and 179 strikeouts in 196.1 innings thrown. At 25, Billingsley has loads of potential throwing in the mid 90’s with a good curveball and great command. However, he needs to work on his stamina and change-up if he wants to be a future ace. With former pitching coach Brad Arnsberg now gone, the Jays will need to find the right person to mould Billingsley into a dominant Major League pitcher.
Since taking over the reins, Toronto’s rookie GM Alex Anthopolous has been playing his hand close to his chest with no public comments regarding possible trade scenarios involving Roy Halladay. Anthopolous is not ruling out attempting to resign Halladay to a long-term extension, especially if the Jays are competitive next season. However; with the trade winds seemingly swirling around the Blue Jays, it appears the likelihood that Halladay will be traded before the season starts is higher than many experts originally believed.
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