Almost everyone agrees that, sooner or later, Roy Halladay will be on his way to Philadelphia, where he’ll become the symbol of the Phillies’ enduring dominance of the Mets. The Blue Jays and Phillies are engaged in feverish, last-minute talks that might turn into just that — a deadline deal that barely gets done before the cutoff on Friday.

But you can dismiss the posturing, because Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi realizes Halladay otherwise will leave as a free agent — the right-hander said he wouldn’t sign an extension with the Jays — and the market never will be more attractive.
Halladay beat the Red Sox last week, 3-1, then struck out 10 in a no-decision against the Rays on Friday, which has emboldened Ricciardi to move now instead of waiting until the off-season.
It’s fair to ask why the Phillies are so focused on Halladay, since they’re comfortably ahead of the pack in the East. But general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. already is thinking about the playoffs and how to stop the league’s best team, the Dodgers. One talent evaluator said last week, “Without Halladay, I don’t see the Phillies getting to the World Series. With him, they could win it all.”
The Phillies aren’t alone in their lust for Halladay; at least a half-dozen teams have seriously dialogued with the Jays. But that’s not to say the market is necessarily fertile. The days of high-volume, blockbuster deals in midseason appear to be over. The economy is too delicately wired for that — no one wants to go a penny over budget, no one wants to make a mistake where second chances are prohibited.
So who’s really interested in making a deal? Who’s browsing — or just blowing off Friday’s deadline altogether? Here’s a mini-primer to guide you through the minefield:

Ready to deal
Phillies: Remember, the Phillies’ starters, deep in the post-Brett Myers era, have a 4.77 ERA, 12th in the NL. Not that the Phillies need any justification to pursue the game’s most dominant righty, but adding Halladay would negate the advantage currently enjoyed by the Dodgers, whose ERA is more than a run lower than Philadelphia’s.
No matter what they say to the contrary, the Phillies eventually will surrender Kyle Drabek and, if necessary, J.A. Happ, as well. Ricciardi is holding firm.
Angels: They’ve got the Jays’ attention, having offered Jered Weaver, among others, to pry away Halladay. The Angels are on a roll now, having won nine of their last 10, propelling them to a 4›-game lead over the Rangers. They’re thinking like the Phillies: Halladay would be the final piece to a World Series berth. More significantly, owner Arte Moreno told the L.A. Times, “We have no financial constraints.”
Indians: There’s no logical reason for a team with this much talent to be 18 games under .500. GM Mark Shapiro eventually will have his reckoning with ownership, but in the meantime, he’d be willing to listen to offers for Cliff Lee, who’s eligible for free agency in 2010 and has every intention of testing the market.
Lee was willing to talk about an extension earlier in the year, but has changed his tune as the Indians tanked. Among the teams who’d be interested in Lee are the Brewers, Rangers, Dodgers and Yankees, but so far no one is close to pulling off a deal.
Moderately Intrigued
Yankees: GM Brian Cashman would’ve loved to put Halladay at the front of his rotation, but realized soon after acquiring Eric Hinske how tough it would be to get the Jays’ ace.
“That was a small deal,” Cashman said of the swap with the Pirates, “and that took a lot of work.” The Yankees still are on the periphery for Halladay, but with no expectation of getting him. Incredibly, they’d just as soon not spend the money — as per Hal Steinbrenner’s directive — and still think Joba Chamberlain will evolve into the long-term solution in the No. 3 spot.
Dodgers: Another Halladay suitor, although, unlike the Angels, they’d prefer not to shell out the $20 million owed to him through 2010. The Dodgers entered Saturday night’s action with a nine-game lead in the West, which dulls some of their motivation — especially if the Jays ask for Clayton Kershaw or Chad Billingsley.
Still, October looms, and the idea of facing Ryan Howard and Chase Utley in home run-friendly Citizens Bank Park is less daunting with Halladay than without.
Mariners: They’re willing to move Jarrod Washburn, but not without getting a lot in return. The M’s reportedly asked the Yankees for Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner, which is why the talks never gained momentum. It’s unlikely Washburn is going anywhere at this rate, but his numbers are extraordinary attractive this year — including the league’s .224 average against him.
Still standing
Mets: The beleaguered Omar Minaya said he’s going to be a buyer, not a seller, in the coming days, but as a rival executive asked in disbelief, “(Whom) do (the Mets) have to trade?”
They’re not dealing any of the core players — most of whom are injured, anyway — and Fernando Martinez, also on the DL, is considered an untouchable. That leaves, who, Pedro Feliciano?
The gutty move would’ve been to trade Mike Pelfrey, who despite his enormous physical skills, doesn’t have hot-burning internal engine necessary to win in New York. He’d be better off in a smaller market and could’ve helped the Mets acquire a legitimate No. 2 starter.
Braves: They took a shot with Ryan Church, and still might move Javier Vazquez. Then again, only three games out of the wild card entering Saturday night, the Braves just might hang on and see how far their slightly better than average roster can go.
Nationals: Anyone can have Adam Dunn, but the price tag is so steep it’s possible he stays put. In which case, he deserves our condolences.