Blue Jays drop ball not hiring Roy Halladay

The Toronto Blue Jays brain trust dropped the ball squandering an opportunity to bring former pitcher Roy Halladay back into the organizational fold in a coaching capacity.

The Philadelphia Phillies beat writer Todd Zolecki reported that Roy Halladay had met with the Phillies on Sunday to discuss a return to the organization in a coaching or mentoring role. It unknown if an agreement is imminent but it is safe to assume there is mutual interest on both sides.

If the rumors come to fruition this will be a major opportunity squandered by Toronto Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro and company. Halladay spent 12 years north of the border from 1998 to 2009 with the Blue Jays before being shipped to the contending Phillies.

The Blue Jays 17th overall selection in the 1st round of the 1995 amateur baseball draft has expressed interest in returning to the game in some type of capacity. The former hurler is currently coaching an elite 12U travel team in Florida and is slated to be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Famer later this summer.

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The Blue Jays have done an admirable job at offering former players roles within the organization, case in point Devon White who was just hired to be the hitting coach of the triple-A Buffalo Bisons. Furthermore, former players like Duane Ward, Roberto Alomar, Pat Hentgen and Expos great Tim Raines have all been retained as instructors or coaches in some capacity or another.

It is obvious from past tweets that Canada still holds a special place in Halladay’s heart.

Hopefully, the Blue Jays can reel in Halladay before the Phillies officially ink the former ace but it appears they may be late to the boat on this one.

On-field accomplishments aside the “Doc” is a fan favorite and would bring a wealth of knowledge not only from the pitching aspect but also would be an invaluable asset in terms of preparation and the mental component of the game for wet behind the ears pitchers trying to hone their craft in the minors. Halladay would make a great roving minor league pitching coach or coordinator for the systems up and coming arms.

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The Blue Jays have not commented on whether they were also engaged in talks with Halladay but regardless it is a big time ball drop on the Blue Jays part.