Clay Buchholz Auditioning for Toronto?

The Boston Red Sox called up starting pitcher Clay Buchholz to spot start the first game back from the All-Star break against the Toronto Blue Jays. Clay Buchholz has had an up and down experience in his very young Major League career, however he does have a no-hitter under his belt and he is a very highly regarded prospect throughout the Majors.

As everyone might know Jay's General Manager, J.P. Ricciardi, has stated that he will shop ace pitcher Roy Halladay, and he will entertain offers. Ricciardi also stated that his Cy Young Award winner pitching is also willing to entertain offers, "He's open to at least listening," due to his no-trade clause.

Now if the Sox are going to be a true candidate in the "Roy Halladay Sweepstakes," they do have the right pieces to make a trade, and one of those was the starting pitcher of last nights game, Clay Buchholz.

Buchholz had a great line last night, 5.2 IP 4 H 1 R 1 ER 3 BB 3 SO. He shut down Blue Jay hitters throughout almost 6 innings. He showed his endurance while he pitched 103 pitches.

I believe that Red Sox Manager Terry Francona and Red Sox GM Theo Epstein aren't the only ones who are impressed, but the Toronto Blue Jays ownership and GM J.P. Ricciardi.

But was this an audition for the Toronto Blue Jays to try and impress them to get Halladay in a trade? Who knows, some people might believe that. It is a coincidence?

I think that the Red Sox are now going to give pitchers like Wakefield, Beckett, and Lester some long rests in-between starts now, but it's always good that you can spot start trade bait such as Buchholz, Masterson, and Penny.

In order for the Boston Red Sox to land Halladay, they will have to give up a lot, everyone knows that. I don't think that the Red Sox will get it done because of Ricciardi being able to call Yankees GM Brian Cashman and Red Sox GM Theo Epstein back and forth to drive up the price.

The only scenario that I would pull trigger if I was Theo would be—Bard, Buchholz, Lars Anderson, and a player to be named later for Halladay straight up. Anything that involves Buchholz and Bowden is way too much in my opinion.