Boston Offered 6 Arms for Halladay

[TonyStarks]

From Toronto Sun:

Last month, Theo Epstein said Boston aggressively pursued Roy Halladay at the deadline and that their final offer was "probably the best offer [J.P. Ricciardi] received." According to Bob Elliot of the Toronto Sun, that may have been a 6-for-1 offer of Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson, Daniel Bard, Michael Bowden, Felix Doubront, and Nick Hagadone.

One National League scout is quoted having "zero idea why they didn't take the Boston offer." Elliot cites a Toronto scout who says the Jays didn't take the offer for two reasons: 1) They weren't confident Masterson would succeed as a starter, and 2) they were afraid of Halladay beating them in 2010.

The same scout is quoted, "We don't have a quality arm like Halladay," said the scout, "but I've seen four of those (Red Sox) arms and they're quality. Hit on three of six and you'd be fertile for a long time."
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IMO, I don't think JP gets a better offer than this.
Daniel Bard looks like a Future Star Closer. Bucholtz is still learning and has show flashes of brillance. Masterson could be a middle of the rotation guy. I'm not impressed by Bowden but he could have worked out in the pen.

Thoughts?

[ol' aches and pains]

Bard is nasty, I saw more of him than I wanted to see when the White Sox were at Fenway a couple weeks ago. That deal sounds too good to pass up.

[Domenic]

If this was indeed the offer on the table, then Ricciardi is an even bigger dolt than any of us had previously thought. That sort of offer would have provided the Blue Jays with fantastic pitching depth, allowing them to focus the 2010 draft and this offseason entirely on patching the holes in their offense - particularly with the salary freed up by the release of Rios and, obviously, the would-be dealing of Halladay.

[Dogdaze]

From Toronto Sun:

Last month, Theo Epstein said Boston aggressively pursued Roy Halladay at the deadline and that their final offer was "probably the best offer [J.P. Ricciardi] received." According to Bob Elliot of the Toronto Sun, that may have been a 6-for-1 offer of Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson, Daniel Bard, Michael Bowden, Felix Doubront, and Nick Hagadone.

One National League scout is quoted having "zero idea why they didn't take the Boston offer." Elliot cites a Toronto scout who says the Jays didn't take the offer for two reasons: 1) They weren't confident Masterson would succeed as a starter, and 2) they were afraid of Halladay beating them in 2010.

The same scout is quoted, "We don't have a quality arm like Halladay," said the scout, "but I've seen four of those (Red Sox) arms and they're quality. Hit on three of six and you'd be fertile for a long time."
---

IMO, I don't think JP gets a better offer than this.
Daniel Bard looks like a Future Star Closer. Bucholtz is still learning and has show flashes of brillance. Masterson could be a middle of the rotation guy. I'm not impressed by Bowden but he could have worked out in the pen.

Thoughts?

I agree with your assessment Tony. Ricciardi was a fool to pass on that trade.

I wouldn't have offered that much for Halladay. Buchholz is still developing but has been improving and lately has been very steady and as you said has shown flashes of brillance, I believe he'll develop into an excellent pitcher. Bard's fastball hits 101 on occassion and I agree with you that he'll be a star closer some day. Masterson imo will become a very good pitcher as well.

Sometimes I think Red Sox GM Theo Epstein gets lucky in trades that didn't happen, this appears to be one of those times.

A few years ago I read that Theo offered Lester, Ellsbury, Masterson and Lowrie for Santana, but the Twins rejected it. While getting Santana would have been nice. Lester has become the ace for the Sox, and Masterson was traded for Victor Martinez who has really helped the Sox offense and I'm not sure the Sox would still be in the WC lead without him.

[STLCards2]

If this was indeed the offer on the table, then Ricciardi is an even bigger dolt than any of us had previously thought. That sort of offer would have provided the Blue Jays with fantastic pitching depth, allowing them to focus the 2010 draft and this offseason entirely on patching the holes in their offense - particularly with the salary freed up by the release of Rios and, obviously, the would-be dealing of Halladay.

Correct. It is no secret that Halliday has struggles with injuries. One more of those in his career, and Ricciardi may regret that one for a long, long time.

[TonyStarks]

Correct. It is no secret that Halliday has struggles with injuries. One more of those in his career, and Ricciardi may regret that one for a long, long time.

He probably won't regret it long...I don't think he's been employed by the Blue Jays come January.

[Zagi-CRO]

it's fair offer.