Philadelphia Phillies: Roy Halladay Pitching Toward Trade Deadline Day?

Halladay has only worn two major league baseball caps in his career

Most baseball fans enjoy trade speculation. Those who take themselves and the game too seriously don't. Please be advised that the following information about Philadelphia Phillies' pitcher Roy Halladay might cause some to become oddly enraged.

'Doc' was arguably the best pitcher in the game from 2002-2011. Age and the amount of combined innings that he's pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays and Phillies no longer make that the case.

Referencing players from different eras often establishes a false scenario. So, citing the number of innings other pitchers threw, as compared to Halladay's 2,700+ frames, doesn't create a valid comparative point, or change the reality of his career right now.

In today's world, with pitch counts and specialized conditioning methods, many mound men simply throw less pitches per start, per season and in their careers than had been the case in the past. Halladay is no different in that regard.

Baseball is a game and a business. Those who lose sight of both facts often reject reality and become purely emotional thinkers.

Therefore, if a number of factors are in place by late July it will be fair to assume that Halladay could be a trade candidate.

Halladay has often understandably cited the desire to win a World Series as his enduring career goal. So, the option of joining a strong playoff contender could expand his limited no-trade contract clause beyond the 21 teams that he can block each season.

The most important factor in this potentially joint decision will be whether the Phillies are in playoff contention by mid-season. If they are, he's not going anywhere and could actually receive a contract extension. If they aren't and he's healthy, it's obvious that the Phillies would consider leveraging his remaining value for other needed inventory.

Halladay's performance during the past year has naturally been troubling. Even though 'Doc' has seemingly gained control over his off-speed stuff during his last three outings, feeling secure about his short- or long-term future isn't wise.

Middle-aged men who have back problems don't often experience magically enduring, non-surgically related, cures. The issue deepens when that man is a professional athlete in a non-PED world. Common sense tells us that a health issue of this type is likely to reappear at some random moment either on, or off, the field.

Halladay isn't expected to reach his innings pitched vesting mark (415 combined innings pitched during 2012 and 2013) this season. Therefore, his automatic contract extension through next year won't kick in. However, I would extend him for one more season because his presence remains valuable in a still-strong rotation and in a game that has always valued superior pitching minds.

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Halladay won the American League Cy Young Award in 2003

'Doc' went 22-7 during his first Cy Young year.

Halladay won the National League Cy Young Award in 2010

'Doc' went 21-10 during his second Cy Young year.

Instincts count, but numbers also matter

This 16-year veteran has finished in the top five of the Cy Young Award balloting seven times, which includes both of his winning years.

Halladay won't need a part-time job after he retires

Roy Halladay earned $200,000 in 1999, when he made his major league debut. By the end of this season he will have earned a total combined amount of $148.99 million in his career.

Halladay's Hall of Fame credentials grow stronger by the season

Roy Halladay's 66.6 WAR score places him thirty-ninth among all pitchers in baseball history in this statistical category. Cy Young's 170.3 WAR score ranks first.