So the Toronto Blue Jays have decided to deal All-Star and Cy Young pitcher Roy Halladay.

It's not surprising, seeing how the Blue Jays have fallen off the pace in the American League East against the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and last year's World Series finalist, the Tampa Bay Rays.

Halladay is due to rake in $14.25 million this season, so a trade could save the team about $7 million if the trade was around the All-Star game, which is today.

I understand the economics of baseball. I don't have to like it.

That Halladay, who is 141-69 with a 3.47 ERA in his 12 seasons with the Blue Jays, the only team he has ever pitched for, could be on the trading block is realistic in today's climate.

The Blue Jays know they're paying out a princely sum for one of the top pitchers in baseball, yet they aren't going to win the division. They're not even close.

By dealing Halladay, the team marches out its biggest trading chip, the one that could bring in three or four highly ranked prospects, which is the kind of deal that eventually could help Toronto to move up in the AL East

With pitchers like Shawn Marcum and Dustin McGowan, both of whom are on the disabled list, plus Ricky Romero and Scott Richmond, maybe there is a young nucleus to build around.

The one problem I see is that Toronto isn't ruling out trading Halladay to a team inside the division.

I know you want to bring in the greatest haul you can, but to trade Halladay to the Yankees or Red Sox won't endear the Blue Jays to their fans.

Plus, Halladay's job now is to beat you on a regular basis. With about six series throughout the year with teams in your own division, you have a 60 percent of facing Halladay each series.

I understand you don't want to rule anything out, but I would have to be extremely overwhelmed by the Yankees or Red Sox before I even considered that concept.

Yes, Halladay's value is at its highest right now. He won his Cy Young back in 2003 (22-7, 3.25 ERA, 204 strikeouts, nine complete games) and hadn't won more than 16 games since until last season (20-1, 2.78 ERA, 206 strikeouts).

He's 10-3 with 106 strikeouts entering the All-Star break and he will start for the American League in tonight's game.

But, at the age of 32, who knows how much Halladay will have left in his arm?

However, if the Blue Jays are serious about dealing Halladay, they should try to get as good a deal as they can — outside the division.

You can't make the Yankees and Red Sox better, then expect to beat them anytime soon. Improvement down the road is never a guarantee. Just look at the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Blue Jays are the ones that gave Halladay the salary he has. Now, they can't afford to keep him. Actually, they could use the money elsewhere.

I just hate to see that money coming from a team inside the division. That is an idea that should never happen. Sadly, it's just how the economics are shaping today's game.

Sam Tallarico is a staff writer for the Butler Eagle.