Why not?

While it’s not a glaring need at the moment, most baseball analysts agree that the Cubs need, and will go after, another top of the line starter to compliment Zambrano, Lilly, and Dempster. Most of them are saying that they will pursue Gil Meche, CC Sabathia, or AJ Burnett. But I say, if you are going to go after Burnett, why not just go balls to the wall and try to get Roy Halladay?

Both AJ and Doc are under contract through 2010. Burnett is on the hook for $12 million per year, while Halladay is set to make $14.25 million in ‘09, and $15.75 million in ‘10. So, it would make more financial sense for the Jays to trade him. Sure, Halladay would have to waive his no trade clause, but I would have to think that the thought of going to the Cubs and having the chance to be a part of the team that breaks “the curse” would be extremely appealing to him.

So, what would it take to get this done? First of all, the Jays have to fully commit to a re-building mode – something I’m not sure they are willing to do. Second, getting rid of Halladay, the Jays are, no doubt, going to want a pitcher in return. I would like to think that pitcher could be Rich Hill, but, more than likely, they would want Sean Gallagher. And after seeing Gallagher’s last few starts, I would be a little leery of giving him up. He has stud potential. Finally, I’m not sure what the Jays farm system looks like, but with Rolen at 3B, they may be looking for someone to replace him. Josh Vitters may be a good candidate for that. Perhaps a package of Vitters, Hill or Gallagher, and one of either Felix Pie or Tyler Colvin could get it done?

I realize that this deal would deplete the farm system quite a bit, however, the Cubs need to win NOW. They have spent the money on Soriano, ARam, Zambrano, Fukudome, et. al. Why not go all out and try to get a pitcher who will truly put us over the top? It’s true that the Cubs’ new ownership could put a snafu in this or any other trade they try to pull off between now and the end of July. But it never hurts for a Cub fan to dream, right? I mean, that’s what we’ve been doing the last 100 years.