Has Roy Halladay pitched his last game for Toronto?
We here at BigLeagueScrew take the MLB off-season almost as seriously as the actual season. It allows us to try on our pretend GM hats (sorta like Steve Phillips) and hypothetically improve some needy teams with money/talent to spend (sorta like The Mets). We will be updating regularly on the status of some of the major free agents and trade targets around the league, so stay tuned.
Starting things off, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman arrived at the Winter Meetings yesterday around 3 pm. Trying to stay calm in the storm that usually is the Winter Meetings, Cashman noted, “I’d rather focus on the process and make sure we do that right than treat this like a fast food situation and all of the sudden get indigestion.” Nice analogy. But with the Yankees being the World Champions and the highest salaried team in the league you can probably look for Cashman to make an under the radar move like last year’s Nick Swisher acquisition, as opposed to handing out some more long term contracts to players in their primes (see: Sabathia, Burnett, Teixeira). Cashman’s goals for this meeting are to assess the trade market, and team needs around the league.
While the Yankees are plotting to keep Andy Pettitte as well as both Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, Cashman has stated that he will not be swayed by any player’s success (or lack thereof) in the postseason.
Think the Phillies were happy to relinquish their crown and finish in 2nd? Not a chance. The Yankees’ World Series opponents are looking to do what it takes to get back to the Fall Classic by checking in on an old flame. Prior to acquiring Cliff Lee last season, rumors ran rampant about the possibility of Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay ending up in Philly. With Halladay 1 year from free agency, and the Blue Jays looking to maximize some value, those rumors are back up and running. Needless to say, if Philadelphia opens 2010 with a starting rotation featuring Halladay, Cliff Lee and a “mentally rejuvenated” Cole Hamels, they will be clear cut favorites to win their 3rd straight NL title. It has also been reported that the Phillies have shown some interest in super-utility player Mark DeRosa, possibly to replace the departed Pedro Feliz.
The Mets are doing their best to squash the hopes of their fans’ wishes of a “Yankee-esque” off-season. According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman the Mets are concerned about the arm issues surrounding Angels ace John Lackey and will likely stay away. Omar Minaya’s fren-emy Adam Rubin of the Daily News writes that both Matt Holliday and Jason Bay are too rich for the Mets’ blood, and will try to land a 2nd tier player in free agency or via a trade. In other team news, it’s also reported that Luis Castillo may be on the move and that FAs Bengie Molina and Orlando Hudson are high on the team’s wish list.
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News and notes from around the league…White Sox GM Ken Williams has said he’s looking for a legitimate lead-off hitter, but Chone Figgins is not on their radar…the Texas Rangers are open to the idea of re-acquiring noted team cancer Milton Bradley…American Idle Carl Pavano would like to stay with Minnesota but will probably hit the open market…Baseball experts in Boston are questioning the makeup of international free agent Aroldis Chapman, probably just to throw the Yankees off the scent.
Tags: brian cashman, hot stove, MLB, new york mets, new york yankees, roy halladay
