Halladay Deadline Set, Most Likely Will Stay a Jay

"At this point, it's probably unlikely that we'll trade Doc,"

A quote straight from the mouth of Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P Ricciardi on Tuesday, in the following Associated Press Article.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9836268/Blue-Jays-set-July-28-deadline-for-Halladay-trade

According to the Associated Press: Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi still hasn't received an appropriate trade offer for Roy Halladay, and has set a July 28 deadline to complete a deal for the 2003 Cy Young Award winner.

"No one has really stepped up yet," Ricciardi said. "We've got to be highly motivated to move him. We haven't been highly motivated yet."

The Associated Press writes that: Ricciardi said the deadline is necessary to get an agreement in place for what is likely to be a complicated deal. He also wants the matter resolved before Halladay makes a scheduled start July 29 in Seattle.

Ricciardi was also quoted:

"In three days, not much is probably going to happen,"

"It's such a magnitude, the trade. He's got to OK the team he's going to, we've got to agree on prospects. That doesn't happen, traditionally in baseball, in one hour. I think we need a little more time than that."

So there you have it folks, a deadline is set and teams are not "shocking" the Blue Jays with a deal like interim President & CEO Paul Beeston said had to happen to move Halladay.

Based on those quotes alone, I do not personally see Halladay moving before the deadline set by Toronto.

I've been one of the few writers who has said from the beginning of this speculatory controversy that Halladay would not be moved and it looks like he will stay in Jays blue at least another season, that is unless another Major League team can dish out a "shocking" deal before July 28th 2009.

The interest is still there from teams such as Philadelphia & Milwaukee, with St.Louis having dropped out of the race due to the steep price tag attached to Halladay.

Philadelphia currently owns a 6.5 game lead over Atlanta in the National League East and has been the hottest team in baseball as of late.

This current hot streak is making it a tough decision for first year Phildelphia general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr.

Does Amaro trade away big pieces of the teams future, in players like Carlos Carrasco, Michael Taylor, & Kyle Drabek for 1.5 years of Halladay?

Or does Amaro go with what he has and hope that his signing of Pedro Martinez pans out?

Does Milwaukee Brewers General Manager Doug Melvin break the bank like he did last season with CC Sabathia? Does Melvin give up future stars Alcides Escobar or Mat Gamel? Does Melvin even have enough of a deal or cash to handle a Halladay type deal?

This will be an interesting next 7 days for Toronto Blue Jays fans, but as I have written since I read the first trade speculation report, I believe Halladay will be a Jay come the July 31st trade deadline.

In other Toronto Blue Jays trade news, you might expect another piece of the current Toronto roster to be moved before the July 31st trade deadline.

Jason Frasor, having the best season of his career (5-2, 2.38ERA, 3SV, 34IP, 25H, 9ER, 10BB, 31K) would be a fit for teams in need of right handed relief help.

Teams such as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, or Colorado Rockies are in need of relief help.

Angels pitchers Kelvim Escobar, Dustin Moseley and Scot Shields are all down with injuries, and once promising young right hander Jose Arredondo has struggled this season with right elbow inflammation and is currently rehabbing for Triple A Salt Lake.

Huston Street, Franklin Morales & Josh Fogg have done the job for Colorado out of the bullpen but that's about it. Frasor would fit in very well with this ballclub as they are in need of a right handed set up man type pitcher.

Toronto Blue Jays fans should keep their eyes and ears open while approaching the trade deadline, as I'm sure Toronto will make a move or two.