Current Video: AL Hot Corner: Handling Halladay
FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal on the Roy Halladay trade rumors and Julio Lugo's future with the Red Sox. Plus, find out what four AL teams Rosenthal thinks will be playing in the postseason.
Full Transcript (Automatically generated. May not be 100% accurate)
" I'm Brian -- it's time to talk baseball and -- we're pleased to be joined by foxsports.com senior baseball writer Ken Rosenthal cat as we begin the second half."
" Of the season nine American League teams -- playoff contention."
" Which fourteen if you think a boy to make it to the play up."
" Really tough question one that President Obama refused to answer on the All-Star game broadcast tonight but given a shot. Obviously the Red Sox will be one of nineteenth the question is which other team from the east when the wildcard. As of now I will go with the Yankees albeit reluctantly because the rays are my World Series pick. And I still believe they have a chance to -- special things in the second half. The American League central is wide open. I'm going to go with the White Sox even though I have no particular reason for doing so. I just believe that the Tigers pitching is going to fade profits already short. And at the twins have bullpen issues and offensive issues as well. And the White Sox with Carlos Quentin coming back really to be in position to make absurd. That leaves the west and who the heck knows what's going to happen there. But you've got to go still with the Angels the perennial power even without hunt during Guerrero right now profits has been actually pretty good. The real question is the pitching that's why they require and Dan Haren Roy Halladay and the alternate need a setup reliever. But until proven otherwise the Angels -- the chance. It appears to be a foregone conclusion that Toronto's Roy Halladay will be traded Blue Jays looking to get a return for the All-Star pitcher. One I don't know it's a foregone conclusion. Certainly there's a lot of talk about how to getting traded certainly there's a ton of momentum -- getting traded. But whether it actually happens or not many GM's are skeptical. As far as what the Jays are looking war it's the best package they can get. Their greatest needs obviously our shortstop where they've had a black hole for several years now at least long term. And clearly if you're trading Roy Halladay you're also going to -- pitching in return -- those that -- things that they need the most. One of the point I want to make here. There's been a lot of talk only about trading within the division will the Jays do it should they do it. My answer to that is why not. Here the Jays but looking for the best possible package they get Roy Halladay. Why would they caught off the Yankees. Teammate can definitely be in the mix for this pitchers when they might offer ultimately the best package of bell. Think about it from the other perspective as well. Okay yes the Jays would have to face -- outing for the next year plus maybe even beyond that if the Yankees would sign him long term. But the Yankees also be giving up players that the Jays -- control for six years old war in those players by the Yankees as well. I don't know what the Jays are actually willing or aren't willing to trade him within the division the lamp holder are willing. The bottom line though is that they should be willing for sure. Finally Michael legit -- are set to return to the Boston lineup this weekend how's it going to look at the -- roster Julio Lugo right now is gone. And certainly with lol and -- coming back there simply is no more room for Lugo. Especially with the way nick green is playing come on for the Red Sox this season. The guy signed to a minor league contract he never expected much out of him at all and here is forcing the Red Sox to possibly release Julio Lugo. Who is owed the rest of his nine million dollar salary for this season. And another nine million for next season. Now I reported earlier today that the Sox were desperately trying to move Lugo. I since been told it is not exactly the case it basically telling teams won't take all his salary just give us a warm body returned."
" Okay can we appreciate the end I don't forget foxsports.com. -- one stop shop for all your baseball needs for Ken Rosenthal I'm Bryan Webber. We'll see you next time."
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