INDIANAPOLIS — You never count the Yankees out of anything. Watching Alex Rodriguez walk through the door in 2004 instilled the belief anything is possible.
Nevertheless, when it comes to the Roy Halladay Sweepstakes, the Yankees appear to be running third.
The Angels, who reportedly made an offer to the Blue Jays yesterday, and Phillies are the favorites.
MANAGER: TRADE HALLADAY OUT OF AL
If the Phillies can deal Joe Blanton and Jamie Moyer, they can meet the Blue Jays’ asking price.
The Phillies are willing to part with stud prospects Kyle Drabek and Michael Taylor and could dangle Cole Hammels, 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, could demand a contract extension to approve the 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.
According to published report the Angels offered a package of Erick Aybar, Joe Saunders and Peter Bourjos to the Blue Jays yesterday.
The Yankees remain in the picture because the Blue Jays covet prospect Jesus Montero, while the Red Sox appear to be fading from the picture.