Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay reportedly will exercise his no-trade clause and veto any trade once he reports for Spring Training in February. This is obviously an attempt to speed up a trade, similar to what Johan Santana-Twins situation that sent the Cy Young pitcher to the Mets.
"[But] one thing is certain -- once Roy reports to spring training as a member of the Blue Jays, from that point forward he will not approve or even discuss any potential trade scenario," Berry continued.
The Yankees, Red Sox, and Dodgers have shown the most interest in Halladay, but other teams are certain to enter the mix. The Angels have the prospects to pull off such a deal, and the Cubs have expressed some interest in the pitcher. The Rangers had interest in him last season, discussing a couple packages around prospect Justin Smoak and pitcher Derek Holland.
Two things could happen from this report.
Teams will wait till the Blue Jays are desperate to make a move, buying low, but still surrendering a top prospect. He only has one year left on his contract and is coming off his fourth straight season with 220 innings or more.
The other is things will stay normal until the Winter Meetings, when one team moves in to pull off a deal, either striking a Winter Meetings deal or soon after.
If the Jays fail to move Halladay, they will hopefully collect two first-round draft picks as compensation.