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Report: Red Sox Going Hard After Roy Halladay

In what is not entirely a surprise scenario, the Boston Red Sox are hot on the trail of Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay, according to the New York Daily News.

Citing an unnamed source, the News claims the Red Sox are "putting on a full-court press" to land Halladay, whom the Red Sox tried to acquire in July. The source adds that the Red Sox would like to get something done soon.

"They would love to get it wrapped up before the winter meetings [which begin Dec. 7]," the source said.

According to the report:

"Boston would likely have to give up Clay Buchholz, the organization's top young pitcher, as well as Casey Kelly, the pitcher/shortstop who signed with the Red Sox in 2008 after being recruited by Tennessee to play quarterback. Red Sox GM Theo Epstein is said to be smitten with Kelly, which could be a sticking point in talks with Toronto if [first-year] Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos insists on the 20-year-old being included in a deal."

According to a report in July, one of the Red Sox' offers for Halladay included Buchholz, but placed Kelly and Daniel Bard "off-limits." The reported deals were all disputed by team officals, but it was clear that there were some serious discussions between Epstein and then-GM J.P. Ricciardi. With Ricciardi gone and Halladay now entering the final year of his contract, his price tag is likely to be a bit lower than it was in July, but it still would take a healthy package of prospects to make the trade happen.

The report in the News said that Yankees GM Brian Cashman is expected to "monitor" Halladay closely, but that he isn't eager to give up prospects Austin Jackson and Jesus Montero, nor would Cashman be excited to trade away Phil Hughes or Joba Chamberlain.