Roy Halladay Deal: One Less Horse But a Few More Colts

As a former employee of the Blue Jays and "die-hard" (though I hate that term - it's overused), I'm a little possessive of my Blue Jays, both the players and the franchise itself, which I do not wish to see go the way of the Expo/Dodo.

It's like the age-old gambling argument: Do you bet with your head or with your heart?The head (former employee, pragmatist) says one thing. The heart (pure fan) says another - and yet they both came to the same conclusion.

Take the case of Roy (Doc) Halladay. He is a model player, employee, and, well, role model. Doc's easily the most beloved player ever to wear blue (or s***hawk grey, as we refer to the current Jays colors). He never whined or complained; he never engaged in protracted contract battles, he always made time for fans and charities; and he never self-promoted.

Doc's a dream. (And I'm straight!)

As a former employee, I've borne witness that the team has tried everything to boost attendance, and even when Halladay, arguably the best pitcher in Major League Baseball, is on the hill, the Blue Jays still do not sell out.

If Doc can't bring the backsides (about the only thing he can't do), then there is no one single player in MLB that could get the 'Dome filled.

Everything from brilliant ideas to MLB standard fare to the completely absurd has been tried to get fans in the door. They just don't come.

As a fan, I hear comments. I talk to other fans on a constant basis. It doesn't make me special, but it certainly gives me a better pulse than the Jays' management. (not to rip, but J.P. Ricciardi needs more tentacles amongst the fans).

I can report that the overwhelming commentary is to the effect of: "We're not going to win; we have no chance, so why should we [fans] bother?"

Surprisingly, the public opinion is quite high in favour of a Halladay trade. Seeing the "Big Horse" off in a classy manner would be acceptable with Toronto fans.

Carlos Delgado was a massive fan favourite, maybe even higher than Doc, and his leaving as a free agent wounded an already-bloodied franchise and fan base.  People actually refused to come back, perceiving that Ash and company didn't give a darn about what we wanted.

When a player leaves via trade, it's a good thing—as opposed to walking away via free agency, where (compensatory draft picks aside) the team and fans get nothing.

If J.A. Happ and a couple of other serious prospects (or Clayton Kershaw!) came back to Toronto.

I hate to say it, but fans would approve.

One Less Horse in the Stable, But Three or Four Good Colts?

You'll get some more backsides in the seats because Toronto fans, perhaps more than most, realize that sports are a team game.

Following the route of the Orioles is the way to go.  We see trades that shipped out Erik Bedard and brought back Adam Jones, and we salivate.

We envy the Orioles and their fans (who'd have thought that as recently as two years ago?), and we'd kill to see a player like Matt Wieters catching here in Toronto.

Hopefully, Ricciardi is (finally) paying attention. Toronto fans don't currently know Lou Marson from a marshmallow - but, then again, neither did O's fans know a Wieters from a double-wide.

So, if the Halladay-to-Philly deal does (please, dear Lord, please) materialize, eventually, with Happ on the mound, Dominic Brown in place of Vernon (barf) Wells, and Carlos Carrasco set to throw smoke out of the bullpen, there's hope.

They will put W's on the board, even if they're in Triple-A Las Vegas for a while, and the fans will come slowly crawling back. I'll bet my season tickets on it.