It's not that the Dodgers can't get to the World Series without Roy Halladay; it's just that with him the Dodgers could just punch their ticket to the Fall Classic.
Let me pose a question to you: Do you think the Dodgers are the favorite in the National League right now? Be honest.
I think this team is great. They are well constructed with a terrific balance of pitching (relief and starting) offense and defense. However, I do worry about them in a short series. Do they have enough dominant pitching to shut down an explosive offense like the Phillies, Brewers or Cardinals? Do they have the aces to shut a team out if they were to face the Giants, who can do exactly that?
Dodger fans love Chad Billingsley, but is he the favorite in game one of a series against Cole Hamels or Tim Lincecum? Is Clayton Kershaw, as fabulous as he's been pitching, going to keep pitching like this and does he have the gas in the tank to be a stud deep into October?
Randy Wolf is a nice pitcher and Hiroki Kuroda certainly has good stuff, but neither can be counted on to completely shut someone down.
This team is a wonderful regular season team, but I do have concerns about them in the post-season.
That is where a guy like Roy Halladay comes in. He gives them that post-season identity of a team that can go toe-to-toe with anyone's front line starter. Halladay makes the Dodgers the favorites every time he's pitching, especially when you consider he has a great offense behind him and most other teams do not.
I should also mention that the Dodgers are tied for the lowest total of complete games in Major League Baseball with one, while Halladay has four on his own. He is averaging over seven innings per start, which would put less stress in the bullpen, hence making it stronger.
This would make Kershaw and Billingsley second and third options in a playoff series, which makes them look that much tougher in their matchups.
Billingsley against Jamie Moyer, Matt Cain or Braden Looper and Kershaw against Joe Blanton, Randy Johnson or Kyle Lohse are matchups that I really, really like.
It is obvious Halladay makes the Dodgers the team to beat in all of baseball, and the organization would love to have him. The haul it will take is the only problem, because I can guarantee you money is not.
First of all, the Blue Jays would probably want Billingsley, Kershaw or Matt Kemp. That's not going to happen.
Russell Martin would not serve as the centerpiece of a deal, considering his struggles and the fact the Jays have top catching prospect J.P. Arencibia in the organization.
So are the Dodgers prospects good enough to get Halladay? I think they probably are, but for starters the Phillies and Brewers have better ones to offer, meaning the Dodgers would have to offer more. That would wipe out the farm system.
I think it would take at least four of the following players: James McDonald, Andrew Lambo, Ethan Martin, Devaris Gordon, Blake DeWitt, Chris Withrow, Josh Bell, Austin Gallagher, Josh Lindblom and Kyle Russell.
If a combination of these prospects is enough, the last thing to ask yourself is if you would do it. We know the pros and we know the cons.
I think it's an easy choice. You trade five or six of those prospects if you have to. Halladay means winning now, which the Dodgers need to do. And with Logan White leading the player development, the team's farm system could bounce back quicker than most.
Great take. Couldn't agree more. Do what it takes to get Halladay if it is within your power without giving up Kemp, Bills or Kershaw.
And yes, I think the Dodgers make the World Series with Halladay.
Do you think the Dodgers are the favorite in the National League right now? Be honest.
I think we are pretty even with Philly right now..I would give a slight edge to the Dodgers but if Halladay goes to Philly they would be the clear cut favorites. We would have to counter with Bedard or Lee...nothing else will count...no more 4 or 5 pitchers, we have too many crappy ones now.
Yes trade the farm for Halladay and we would not only walk to playoffs this year but will be the clear favorites for next year as well.
Matt is Gurnick full of shit on his blog cause he just was saying that Ned said a deal could be done with Toronto for "5 or 6 prospects"???? Sounds like hope cause I'm scared that Philly could get him and shift the balance of power in the force to the Dark Side!
I dont care who or how many prospects they want from our farm....DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Halladay or Lee is worth selling the farm....Im not thinking or caring long term I WANT A WORLD SERIES TITLE!!!
I don't think Gurnick is kidding. It will take at least four prospects, probably five. The Dodgers don't have guys as highly touted as Kyle Drabek and Dominic Brown. However, I think J.A. Happ is very, very overrated.
Alrighty that wasnt a great series against the fish, our defense made several errors and since it was my bachelor party weekend I wasnt there for them for any help. But the trade rumors are making my head spin!
I've given up any hope for Halladay, too much and I would rather Philly give up the farm for him (Philly is a small ballpark although Doc is a groundball pitcher, could go either way to me).
The VMart/Lee deal yesterday scared the shit out of me, I was for Loney getting traded, but not now with our team chemistry and his RBIs. But if anyone thinks we are going to trade Bills or Kershaw is smoking really good maryjane or something right? KERSHAW and BILLS are UNAVAILABLE...I am all for selling the farm, and to aquire Cliff Lee would ease my mind if Philly got Doc. But giving up more than one MLB roster guy is insane...And the only players I am okay with parting with would be Russel and Loney and both are showing us reasons why to keep them.
I'm with you. I'm not for trading Loney or Martin right now. And Bills and Kershaw aren't being traded for anyone.