Come To Think of It: With Holliday and Halladay, It's Christmas in July

I know it’s July, but some teams are already going “Holliday” shopping. Or perhaps “Halladay” shopping?

That’s because we’re in that month of the season where MLB teams not only face the trade deadline, but are looking at two of the better players on the market in Matt Holliday and Roy Halladay.

The news that Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi is open to listening to offers for his ace pitcher has seemed to energize the trade market.

Until this news, the poor state of the economy has made teams reluctant to part with prospects and take on salary. But for a stud like Halladay, one figures that teams would be willing to break the bank.

It’s important to realize that just because Ricciardi is willing to listen does not mean that there will be a deal.

Count ESPN’s Keith Law among those that don’t think it’s going to happen.

"It's simply ridiculous. All Ricciardi said was—and this is not his fault, I think he was pretty clear—'If somebody calls, we're going to listen. If we get a great offer that knocks us over, we'll go to Doc, who has a blanket no-trade clause, and talk to him about it.'"

Still, an ace like Halladay doesn’t come onto the market every day, so expect some teams to make the Jays' GM an offer that he can’t refuse, especially considering Toronto won’t be able to sign him after his contract expires following the 2010 season.

"We have kept him from free agency twice”, said Ricciardi, “and I don't think we have the resources to keep him from free agency a third time."

Recognizing that, who are the likely suitors for his services?

Well, you can count out the Yankees. The New York Post reported that Yankees officials have said there is “zero chance” the Bombers will sign Halladay, citing similar reasons why they didn’t trade for Johan Santana last year.

The Cubs don’t appear to have the prospects nor the salary flexibility to be players either. Until the team’s sale is settled, general manager Jim Hendry’s hands are tied.

Halladay is currently making $14.25 million this year, and is scheduled to earn $15.75 million in 2010. After that, he becomes a free agent.

ESPN’s Buster Olney has set the odds on teams acquiring the ace pitcher as follows:

Phillies 5:2
Dodgers 8:1
Angels 8:1
Brewers 12:1
Red Sox 15:1
Rockies 20:1
Rangers 20:1
Yankees 20:1
Cardinals 50:1
Mets 100:1

The Phillies do appear the lead the pack, and both they and the Angels have apparently asked about Halladay’s availability in the past.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, "general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki that he has 'flexibility' to add a stud pitcher. Though Amaro, Jr. spoke only in general terms, the conversation was largely about Halladay.” 

The Jays are said to be interested in a young shortstop as part fo the return package, and have apparently previously expressed interest in the Phils’ Jason Donald.

As for the Red Sox, general manager Theo Epstein has been reluctant to deal prospects in the past, but would they make an exception for a guy like Halladay?

Clay Buchholz could possibly be dangled to lure the Cleveland Indians into parting with Victor Martinez, so they may hang onto him anyway.

Complicating matters is that Halladay has a full no-trade clause. He is said to be willing to waive it for a contending team.

Perhaps, the Jays might force a team to take on a bad contract as part of any deal. For example, they could insist that Vernon Wells or Alex Rios be included.

As for the Oakland A’s Matt Holliday, it has been suggested that if general manager Billy Beane doesn’t get any offers he likes, he could decide to hang onto Holliday and collect draft choices.

That would be risky, however, if Beane offered arbitration to Holiday and he accepted, because then the A’s could be on the hook for $15 million or more next season.

The left fielder is making $13.5 million this year, and is eligible for free agency following the season. While his power has fallen off since leaving Colorado, he does have a .373 on-base percentage with nine stolen bases.

The Cardinals had been said to be interested prior to their acquisition of Mark DeRosa. Another possibility is the Cincinnati Reds, who have the prospects, but are they willing to add the salary?

Among other names said to be available: Garrett Atkins, Doug Davis, Jon Garland, Jarrod Washburn, Mark Teahen, George Sherrill, Felix Pie, Freddie Sanchez, Danys Baez, Nick Johnson, Aubrey Huff, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Cliff Lee.

This could turn out to be an interesting trade market after all, come to think of it.