The Trade Deadline Domino Effect

If and when the domino falls on the Roy Halladay trade, it could create a domino effect which would see more than just one Blue Jay leaving the nest in Toronto.

As the trade deadline inches closer and closer, I’m starting to think that any secondary trades involving Scott Rolen, Marco Scutaro or others might be contingent on whether or not the Blue Jays deal Halladay by the trade deadline.

If the Jays do in fact make the Halladay trade, then management has more or less raised the white flag on the 2009 season and declared they are in rebuilding mode. Still, I can’t see Rolen or Scutaro being traded if Doc is still with Toronto come 4:01pm tomorrow afternoon. Halladay is an integral part in the success of this team, so by trading him it sends the message to players and fans that an impending fire sale could be in the works.

If Roy Halladay is shipped off then that basically opens the floodgates for teams to make offers on whichever players they want. There are reports that the Reds are interested in Rolen, the Twins are gunning for Scutaro, and even the Rockies are looking at Scott Downs. With Scutaro’s contract up at the end of this season and Rolen’s due at the end of 2010, it’s time for management to decide whether they are steering this ship into the future, or if they are going to turn back and basically start from scratch.

On the other hand, if the deadline comes and goes and the Jays 25-man roster is still remains the same, then that is a positive thing for 2010. Whether or not Doc re-signs at the end of next season, there is the core for a great Blue Jays team next year which can compete with the likes of the other big bad bullies in the American League East.