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| The good ole' days. Photo by Richard Wilkins Jr. |
Ruben Amaro can say whatever he wants, if he's not worried, he's lost his mind. There is no way you can re-sign Roy Halladay thinking he can be a number three starter. It's much easier to think that this is the end of Roy Halladay. After all, not only does he have a surgically repaired shoulder, but he has a dietary disorder.
We can debate the merits of bringing back Roy Halladay. There is sentimental value, and that possibility that a winter off will let his arm strength return, and allow him to get this disorder covered. He could be 80% of old Doc, right? Well, yeah, but if you watched him since his return, does he strike you as a number three starter? Does he strike you as good enough to anchor a back end with himself, Kyle Kendrick, and a totally untested Miguel Gonzalez, with Pettibone waiting in the wings? The answer has to be no. The question should scare you.
The Phillies must pursue a front end starting pitcher. Matt Garza is a name you may hear about, but he may be out of the price range. Bartolo Colon, Ricky Nolasco, and Ubaldo Jimenez will also come up, I'm guessing. So will trade targets, which may end up being a better deal. Re-signing Doc can be debated, but re-signing him as a number three should be totally out of bounds. As good as Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels are, we saw how Hamels can be unlucky, and saw the same from Lee last year. The big two need another steady, good arm to rely on. Maybe Halladay can be that. The Phillies are not in a position to bank on a maybe though.
