INDIANAPOLIS — If the Phillies can deal Joe Blanton and Jamie Moyer, they can meet the Blue Jays’ asking price for Roy Halladay.
The Phillies are willing to part with stud prospects Kyle Drabek and Michael Taylor and could dangle Cole Hamels, but first must find buyers for Blanton and Moyer.
Eligible for arbitration after making $5.48 million last year, Blanton shouldn’t be too difficult to move. Moyer might be impossible. He is 47, makes $6.5 million in 2010, and had a problem in November that required hospitalization stemming from a September groin surgery.
Halladay, who has a full no-trade clause, could demand a contract extension to approve a deal. Or he could play one year for the Phillies and become a free agent. The Phillies are attractive to Halladay because they spend spring training in Clearwater, Fla. which is close to his Oldsmar home.
The Angels’ package of Erick Aybar and Joel Saunders is appealing to the Blue Jays.
The Yankees remain in the picture because the Blue Jays covet catching prospect Jesus Montero, while the Red Sox appear to be fading.
Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston told the Toronto Globe & Mail that if the team does trade the ace right-hander, it should be outside the American League.


