Halladay Likely Heading Toward Memorable Season

Practically everyone had predicted before this season that Roy Halladay would win over 20 games and be the unanimous Cy Young award winner in the National League. Many times, predictions such as these don't pan out. Not to worry, this one will.

The Philadelphia Phillies' ace is already 4-0 with a miniscule .82 ERA. He also has two complete games. Whoever has him on their fantasy team, you are going to have a hell of a time every fifth day. I will admit that I thought being in a smaller ballpark might affect the former Blue Jay right-hander, but I was way off. He has been unstoppable and might have the best year a pitcher has had in a very very long time. We are talking about maybe putting up Bob Gibson-like numbers (1.12 ERA in 1968).

Now the rules and ballparks favor the hitters more than they did back in 1968, but it looks as though Halladay could have an ERA in the 1-2 range. Looking at what he has done so far, it is certainly a possiblity. Maybe he doesn't match Gibson's legendary season, but something similar to Dwight Gooden's 1985 season is realistic (24-4 1.53ERA). I don't know what I was thinking. He is a sinkerball pitcher so ballpark size wouldn't have much of an effect on him anyway. For a pitcher to dominate the Yankees and Red Sox and then switch to the National League, it can only equal success.

We can't forget the team he plays for too! The Phillies are hands down the best team in the National League. Even on an off day, Halladay more than likely will pick up the win just because the offense has his back. The general manager got some criticism for not keeping Cliff Lee as well. How's that working out so far?

I am eager to see how Halladay's season will shape up with some of the best that have occurred over the past 35-40 years. Barring any injury, nothing should get in the way of Doc delivering pitch after pitch, resulting in win after win.

Shawn Marosek

HALLADAY TRADE WILL NOT IMPROVE PHILLIES

On Monday, the news broke that the two-time defending National League champions, Philadelphia Phillies, were about to pull off a trade for Blue Jays ace, Roy Halladay. When I first heard the news, I figured you could just hand the Phillies the 2010 World Series crown now. Along with the NL's best offense by a mile, Halladay-Cliff Lee-Cole Hamels would be an almost unbeatable top 3 in their rotation.

But then I heard the complete breakdown of the deal. Cliff Lee was going to Seattle (how sick are they going to be with Felix Hernandez and Lee as their 1,2?) as part of a three-way agreement between the Phillies, Blue Jays and Mariners. Now I had to wonder if the Phillies were really an improved team with Halladay over Lee. I understand why this makes sense from a management position as the Phillies will have Halladay the next four years opposed to running the risk of only having Lee for 2010. The move also keeps Halladay from being traded to the division rival Mets in a lesser, desperate move by the Jays brass. However, while this may be a good economic/strategic move, it is certainly not a game changing on the field move.

By dumping Lee, the Phillies lose the pitcher who was untouchable down the stretch and in the postseason. Lee was 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA in the playoffs. Is there any guarantee Halladay will be as good as that? I can't dispute Halladay has had the better career, but he has never pitched a big game in his life. In fact, Halladay struggled in mid-season when he admittedly felt the pressure from all the trade talk circulating around him. He has been a Yankee and Red Sox killer, but is there any pressure in pitching against them when you are 10-20 games behind them in August? Lee on the other hand fit in with the Phillies winning culture right away. He was unbelievable. Halladay will be an ace, but it will be hard pressed for him to be better than Lee in the big spot. He will have to better Lee's complete-game, 10 strikeout performance if the Phillies make it back to the World Series.

With all that said, I do think Halladay will be a slightly better in the regular season. But even if you think he will be much better, the Phillies will still have the same question marks they did before this move went down. They need Cole Hamels to revert back to his 2008 self. If this doesn't happen, the Phillies will continue to have a serious lack of depth in their rotation. If Hamels doesn't bounce back, who else can they count on? Maybe J.A. Happ, but they won't get much from Joe Blanton, Jamie Moyer or even Pedro Martinez. They also haven't done anything to sure up their bullpen. If they don't, they will have to pray Brad Lidge and Ryan Madson revert back to their 2008 selves. Halladay doesn't solve those issues.

In my opinion, they are the same team today that they were a week ago, but without the assurance their ace will be a stud postseason performer. I wasn't opposed to them getting Halladay and signing him to an extension for some security, but why couldn't they keep Lee for 2010 too? Lee is set to only make $9 million next season. That's an absolute steal and with the team they have, they should have made a run with those two aces together. Then if Lee left for a bigger contract somewhere else after 2010 then so be it. So those who think the Phillies made a great move here, think again.

Pat Morgan

Blue Jays Will Be Mediocre Once Again

Every year we hear the same thing when it comes to the Toronto Blue Jays. How many times have we read in a season preview that Toronto is ready to compete with the Big Boys in the AL East. The Red Sox and Yankees have dominated the division for the last 15 years, and the Blue Jays haven't made a postseason appearance since they repeated as World Champions in 1993. This season are we going to hear that this team from north of the border is going to keep pace with Boston and New York?

Well, I guess it depends on your definition of being competitive. This team will finish at least 10 games out of the division, and will stay in it for maybe the 1st half of the season. They will probably be 6-7 games back in third place at the All-Star break and won't make a serious run the rest of the way. The Red Sox and Yankees will be too tough. Now, there are people out there that think the Yanks will be down from last season, which is a possiblity. However, who in their right mind could think that the Blue Jays will finish ahead of the Yanks in the division and squeak out a second place finish. I know I don't.

Well, Toronto signed David Eckstein and acquired Scott Rolen in the offseason. That's the most noise they made during the winter months and I don't see it being that big of a deal. Yes, Rolen is a talented 3B, but he was hindered by injuries last season and might not be 100 percent the entire season. Eckstein is a scrappy player but not one that will completely turn around a franchise. Aaron Hill, Lyle Overbay and Rod Barajas round out the infield. Does that really scare anyone?

Vernon Wells is coming off a subpar season and we'll see what he brings in 2008. The only player I have confidence in is Alex Rios, who hit .297 with 24 hr and 85 rbi. Even those numbers aren't stellar in today's game. Frank Thomas, who reached the 500 HR milestone last season, returns as the DH. He will hit at least 30 homeruns if he stays healthy and will dive in his fair share of runs, but the Blue Jays can't rely on Thomas to have an injury free season. He's been a long time veteran in this league and he turns 40 in May.

As for the pitching staff, Roy Halladay is always the name that stand out. He's had his injury concerns in the past, but when he stays healthy, he is one of the best in the game. I'm surprised he is still with this ball club and hasn't signed with a powerhouse like the Yankees or Red Sox. They still have A.J. Burnett, who is still trying to prove himself in a Blue Jay uniform but after that, it's nothing to brag about.

Closer B.J. Ryan, who was Toronto's big acquisition two years ago, had a great 2006 campaign. In 2007, he suffered a season ending elbow injury last year and now is looking to make a succuessful comeback. He's the anchor of this Blue Jays bullpen and with a suspect pitching staff, this team will need all the relief help they can get.

It's as simple as this. The Blue Jays will finish third again. How can they not? The Red Sox and Yankees are the class of the division and the Orioles are horrible. The Rays might make a run at being third, but will fade late. The Blue Jays have finished third several times over the last decade and will see similar results in 2008.

Shawn Marosek