The Phillies Can Be Scary Good...Right?

Even though the Phillies already have a boatload of money (almost $110 million) committed to player salaries before arbitration, that does not appear to be stopping them from making a serious run at Roy Halladay this winter. It's that kind of attitude that can separate the Phillies from the rest of the NL once again and make them one of the favorites to win the World Series:

"The Phils paid nearly $140 million in salary and bonuses in 2009, and they already have more than $106 million committed to 12 players for 2010. That's before Joe Blanton, Shane Victorino, and Carlos Ruiz get significant raises. That is also before they get a third baseman and upgrade the bullpen.

There won't be a lot of room to take on Halladay's $15.75 million salary for 2010, but sources say the Phillies might make an exception for that caliber of pitcher and make another big run at the World Series while they have Lee (he can be a free agent after 2010), Jimmy Rollins, Chase Utley, Ryan Howard, and Jayson Werth in their primes.

As many as a dozen teams could be in the running for Halladay, so his coming to Philadelphia is far from a sure thing. But don't count it out. These are the glory days for the Phillies. They are thinking big, and players want to play for them.

"We're in a fortunate position," Amaro said in general. "We've become an attractive place to go."

Kudos to the Phillies for actually recognizing their window. Too often in sports, teams fail to recognize their window for success until that window has actually closed and by that time, it is too late. Because most of their core players are already in their 30s, the Phillies know that the time to win is now and acquiring Halladay would put them on that path.

However, at the same time, there has to be some thought into the future of the Phillies. If the Phillies go ahead and trade for Halladay, they will probably have to deal at least two of their top prospects in addition to JA Happ. While the acquisition of Halladay would certainly make the team stronger in 2010, the Phillies farm system would be absolutely decimated from the Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay trades and the team would be lacking depth throughout the organization. If the Phillies are struck with a series of injuries or poor play, then they might struggle, even with Roy Hallday.
So what cost is acceptable for the Phillies to accept their window and make a play for Halladay? At what point do the Phillies hold off on acquiring Halladay because they'd be risking too much of their future? If the Phillies have the chance to make a trade for Halladay, should they do it?

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