UPDATE - Retracted Edition - Red Sox GM Theo Epstein said there was no truth to the report that the Red Sox offered six pitchers for the Blue Jays ace. The proposal did seem a little out of character for the Red Sox front office, who take a lot of pride in their young prospects.
Here is the original story if interested:
Bob Elliot of the Toronto Sun spoke with a couple scouts who talked about the offer the Red Sox made for Roy Halladay at the trade deadline.
The offer: Clay Buchholz, Justin Masterson, Daniel Bard, Michael Bowden, Felix Doubront, and Nick Hagadone to the Blue Jays for Halladay.
The deal includes three of the Red Sox top ten prospects, according to Baseball America. Buchholz was rated the top Red Sox prospect in 2008, and Hagadone is considered to have the best slider in the organization. Why wouldn't the Jays take that offer? Elliot says their was two reasons:
Initially, the Jays spent days deciding whether Masterson projected better as a starter or a closer and, when they reached a decision, they didn't think he'd succeed in that role. Secondly, "the Jays were worried about Halladay beating them next year."
The Red Sox and Blue Jays match up against each other 18 times per season. While you'll likely face Halladay a couple times, you would think that landing those prospects would outweigh facing Halladay two or three times in 2010.
Several of those pitchers project very well long term, and if the Blue Jays hit on two or three of the six arms, they would be in great shape for the future.
I'd be surprised to see another team top that offer.