There’s no need to argue, Ruben just don’t understand

I get that GM Ruben Amaro Jr. doesn’t want to give up Kyle Drabek as well as J.A. Happ in a trade for the much-coveted Roy Halladay. But the Blue Jays organization has made it incredibly clear that a trade without both of them involved is going to be nearly impossible to negotiate. They made this clear by quickly rejecting a four-for-one trade with three of the Phillies best prospects and Happ. Now, the burning question is this: who cracks first?

The Phils latest offer was Happ, OF Michael Taylor, RHP Carlos Carrasco, and SS Jason Donald. This isn’t a terrible trade, except for the fact that Toronto wants Happ, Drabek and OF Dominic Brown. I get why Drabek was removed from the deal, but Brown? If Ruben’s going to get Halladay on the cheap, it’s not going to be off the $.99 cent rack: we have to give them SOMETHING that they want. Brown is going to have to be in this trade whether the Phillies like it or not.

And call me crazy (you wouldn’t be the first) but if we’re grabbing Halladay to make us a favorite for a run this year then I say screw keeping Drabek and let’s keep Happ who’s had an amazing 2009. He recently tied a Phillies record of eight-straight wins, which included a win from 2008, and except for a sub-par showing on Friday night he’s been lights out all season.

If you trade away Happ then our rotation is only slightly better than what it is now. There’s still going to be a hole somewhere, and I’m not completely convinced that Pedro Martinez is the Mighty Putty we’ve been looking for all season. There’s a reason why he was still in the Dominican Republic halfway through the season, but the Phils front office is too desperate to realize that right now.

Here’s the thing: if the Phillies are welcome to a four-for-one trade, then there’s no reason why they don’t come out of this on top. Toronto is in some tight binds financially and they know Halladay won’t be there when it comes time for free agency. All they want is something that’s going to let them save face in trading away the only active pitcher with 100+ wins and no playoff appearances.

So Rube, if you’re listening, make them a four-for-one they can’t refuse: Drabek, Brown, Taylor and Donald. They would be getting four outstanding prospects, all of whom were once on your “untouchable” list, and we would get to keep both Happ and Carrasco. Prospects are a dime a dozen and every team out there has the next Nolan Ryan somewhere in their farm system.

The truth is, no one knows how good Drabek will be until he stops pitching to wannabes and starts pitching to the big boys. Let them be disappointed, as most “untouchable” prospects do disappoint, and we’ll be laughing all the way to our second straight World Series win.