Returning as a Visitor
Off to one of the best starts of his career, J.A. Happ returned to Citizens Bank Park on Sunday, working an effective 6-2/3 to help the Blue Jays beat the Phillies 5-3. That raised his record to 7 - 3 -- leaving him one shy of 100 wins over his career.
The now 35 year old lefty (seen here with Toronto in 2014), pitched briefly for the '07 and '08 Phils, and emerged as a dependable starter on their 2009 pennant winners.
But in mid-season 2010, in one of the many deals where then-GM Ruben Amaro swapped youth for another "proven pro," Happ was the key man in the package sent to Houston for Roy Oswalt. After moving to Toronto, Seattle and Pittsburgh, he returned to the Blue Jays as a 2016 free agent.
With the Blue Jays treading water just below the .500 mark and now 11 back of the AL East leading Red Sox, it wouldn't be a shock to see him back on the trading block come July. How many teams -- think Phillies, Yankees or Dodgers -- could use a lefthanded starter with post-season experience, not to mention an affordable contract that expires at year's end? Would you be surprised to see a Happ back in the Phils' red pinstripes as they try and outpace the Nats and Braves for division title or wild card? Maybe fill out the Yankee rotation behind Severino and Tanaka? Or give the Dodgers a more dependable option that the brittle and innings-limited Rich Hill?
The now 35 year old lefty (seen here with Toronto in 2014), pitched briefly for the '07 and '08 Phils, and emerged as a dependable starter on their 2009 pennant winners.
But in mid-season 2010, in one of the many deals where then-GM Ruben Amaro swapped youth for another "proven pro," Happ was the key man in the package sent to Houston for Roy Oswalt. After moving to Toronto, Seattle and Pittsburgh, he returned to the Blue Jays as a 2016 free agent.
With the Blue Jays treading water just below the .500 mark and now 11 back of the AL East leading Red Sox, it wouldn't be a shock to see him back on the trading block come July. How many teams -- think Phillies, Yankees or Dodgers -- could use a lefthanded starter with post-season experience, not to mention an affordable contract that expires at year's end? Would you be surprised to see a Happ back in the Phils' red pinstripes as they try and outpace the Nats and Braves for division title or wild card? Maybe fill out the Yankee rotation behind Severino and Tanaka? Or give the Dodgers a more dependable option that the brittle and innings-limited Rich Hill?
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