I'm a firm believer in trading prospects away for sure fire Hall of Famer's still in their prime. If Roy Halladay is available, I'm calling. I don't think this Astros team is a playoff contending team. I think the Astros are an average team playing in a very mediocre division. Even with the addition of Holliday, the Cardinals are not a lock to win this division.
If I'm Ed Wade, I'm calling the Blue Jays & Cleveland Indians and seeing what it takes to get Hallady or Cliff Lee. Pitchers that win Cy Young awards aren't usually available available, but when they are, you need to at least get in the discussion. Roy Halladay is the best pitcher in the game. You trade your farm system to get him. Sure the Astros want to retool and be ready for years to come, but this core team is getting older and now is the time to buy. Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman's windows are closing.
I don't see Ed Wade pulling the trigger on this one for a variety of reasons. 1) This team isn't that great and he doesn't want to mortgage the future for a run this year with an average team. 2) Payroll and Revenue are tight this year with attendance down for the Astros and Drayton Mclane, the owner, isn't ready to open up the purse strings. 3) The Astros don't have the chips in the farm system to make the deal.
Roy Halladay isn't a #3 starter. He's a #1 starter who is better than Roy Oswalt. When you can trade for a guy like that, you don't care about the upside of your minor leaguers, you make the deal. Most minor league stars don't pan out. A 2 time winning CY Young Award pitcher usually do. He's under contract for next season as well and just 32. Go for it Drayton. You'll be in great position next year with Halladay & Oswalt leading the staff. If you want the town to keep talking about the Astros, strike while the iron is hot. Otherwise, the Texans could start being the toast of the town with a big season looming ahead.
