Red Sox Still In Halladay Race?

If rumors are to be believed, the Red Sox still loom as a dark horse to complete a trade for Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay. Numerous reports state that the Red Sox could add Halladay in a blockbuster move that would also land them shortstop Marco Scutaro. The Red Sox would have to pay a hefty price for a Halladay/Scutaro package but it would be enough to make them the prohibitive favorite to win the 2009 World Series. Theo Epstein would have to start the discussions with top pitching prospect Clay Buchholz and then add shortstop Jed Lowrie, outfielder Josh Reddick, and firstbaseman Lars Anderson. An additional pitching prospect such as Michael Bowden or Justin Masterson - or both - could also be a part of the deal. It is a move that I would make with no hesitation. Yes, Buchholz and the other trading chips are highly valuable prospects who give the Red Sox a combination of promising talent and small financial investment. On the other side, none of them are guaranteed to have the type of big league results as Halladay, a future Hall of Famer, and Scutaro, who is solid in the field and at the plate. For those worried that Halladay would be a threat to leave Boston as a free agent after 2010, that is a risk worth taking. Two runs at October glory would be well worth it if Halladay were to leave, a scenario I don't believe would become an issue. The Red Sox are set up to contend for a long time - even if they give up top prospects like Buchholz and Anderson - and they also have the money to keep Halladay happy. After failing to sign Mark Teixeira this past winter, Boston has plenty to sign Halladay and Josh Beckett, who will also be a free agent after 2010. After losing for so many years in Toronto, Boston provides Halladay with the perfect combination of potential championships and millions of dollars. Scutaro, who will be a free agent after this season, would give the Red Sox a better option at shortstop than either Lowrie or Nick Green. His high on-base percentage (.384) would make him an ideal candidate to leadoff (Sox leadoff hitters have a dismal .300 OBP this year) and has made just three errors in the field. If the Sox make this trade (Buchholz, Lowrie, Masterson, Anderson, and Reddick) I don't see how this roster would not win the World Series: 1. Marco Scutaro - SS, RH 2. Dustin Pedroia - 2B, RH 3. Kevin Youkilis - 3B, RH 4. David Ortiz - DH, LH 5. Jason Bay - LF, RH 6. Adam LaRoche - 1B, LH 7. J.D. Drew - RF, LH 8. Jason Varitek - C, S 9. Jacoby Ellsbury - CF, LH Bench: Mike Lowell (3B/DH, RH), Rocco Baldelli (OF, RH), Nick Green (SS/2B, RH), George Kotteras (C, LH), Mark Kotsay (OF/1B, LH) Starting Rotation: Roy Halladay, Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, John Smoltz, Tim Wakefield Bullpen: Jonathan Papelbon, Hideki Okajima, Daniel Bard, Ramon Ramirez, Manny Delcarmen, Takashi Saito