Roy Halladay to the Brewers

Last year around this time, the Brewers struck a deal for the best arm on the trade market, CC Sabathia and it propelled them to the playoffs for the first time since 1982. It sounds like the Brewers might not want to wait another quarter century for another opportunity at that. Rumors have surfaced that they have more than kicked the tires on a trade for Tornoto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay. Fan response seems very mixed on the subject, but my opinion is very clear. Do it. Here is the trade that will get it done.

To the Brewers:

Roy Halladay, P

To the Blue Jays:

JJ Hardy, SS

Mat Gamel, 3B

Minor League Prospect #1 - (might have to be a Brett Lawrie caliber)

Minor League Prospect #2 - (Maybe not from the A list, but certainly high B list)

This trade is great for both sides. First off for the Brewers, the benefits are obvious. They get arguably the best pitcher in the game. He is signed through next year so it isn't a rental. At the end of his contract, you get at least a first round pick and supplemental pick. It things go haywire, trade him next year and replace the talent you gave up. It's a gamble (ask the A's about Matt Holliday) but with his track record, not much of one. They can replace hardy with Alicides Escobar who has been deemed "untouchable" in a trade. JJ Hardy is currently batting .230. Even if Escobar doesn't come in with guns blazing, he can bat .230. He adds speed to a lineup badly lacking speed and it also improves the defense if all the rumors about Escobar are true. It reminds me a lot of when Lyle Overbay was traded and it opened up the spot for Prince Fielder. It felt as though the Brewers were getting an additional piece in the trade with Fielder, and in this case with Escobar.

The Jays would do it because Gamel is the Brewers "prized prospect." That's the kind of talent they are looking for. Scott Rolen can be traded to open up a spot at 3rd or stash Gamel down in AAA until next year. JJ Hardy gives them major league ready talent with All-Star Potential at a position they are week at. Marco Scutaro is solid, but not signed beyond this year. He is more suited for a platoon role anyway. The two other prospects who are included are necessary to get a Cy Young pitcher with a year and a half on his contract.

Everyone always wants to make the arguement that the Brewers can't trade away their future for one guy. Well, let's remember one thing. The future of the Brewers is still Ryan Braun, 25, Prince Fielder, 25, Corey Hart, 27, Casey McGehee, 26, Yovani Gallordo, 23, Rickie Weeks, 26, Alcides Escobar, 22... That makes LF, 1B, RF, 3B, 2B and SS all roadblocked with young high ceiling talent. Remember that players in your farm system are there for 3 reasons.

1. Develop your young players for the future of your team.

2. Creating depth and competition for your orginiation.

3. Use as trade chips to make your big league club better. Teams draft and sign upwards of 20 players every year. Every one of those guys is not going to play for the team that drafts them.

Putting Roy Halladay at the front of the Brewers rotation makes everyone better. If Manny Parra really is back to form, it forms a formidable rotation with Halladay, Gallardo, Parra, Looper and Suppan. Halladay replaces Mike Burns. I think that's a decent upgrade.