Ruben Amaro Jr.'s Silence Speaks Volumes in Phillies' Pursuit of Roy Halladay

It has been quiet at the winter baseball meetings for the defending National League champion Philadelphia Phillies.

They shored up their bench with the additions of left-handed hitting Ross Gload this week, to go along with previous signings of catcher Brian Schneider and utility man Juan Castro.

Their biggest signing has been third baseman Placido Polanco.

They are even waiting to see what to do with capable incumbent relievers Chan Ho Park and Scott Eyre.

So when veteran hometown baseball writer Jim Salisbury hammered Phillies GM Amaro about the Roy Halladay rumors, at first glace, Amaro said little.

However, watching a second time, Amaro said he couldn't talk about it because it involved players.

Players? We talkin' 'bout players?

What Amaro means is major league players; otherwise he would have said prospects.

The general opinion is that the Phillies would package J.A. Happ along with prospect Domonic Brown or Michael Taylor.

So as much as the Phillies have pursued Halladay, the Blue Jays are sticking with Happ as the major league candidate.

What does that mean for a team already reaching the proposed $140 million budget?

The Phillies would have to trade Joe Blanton, who made $5.5 million last year and might make around $7 million this year.

Halladay would cost about $16 million for one year, as he is on the last year of his current deal.

That is still about $9 million to dump.

Would I do it?

Heck, yes. The price for Halladay has dropped. It is a one-year commitment, but with the Yankees getting Curtis Granderson, it is time to move.

Stay tuned.

Something big is brewing.

It might happen soon; if not now, then midseason if Halladay is still in Toronto and their season is awash.