This is tricky, because their best young players are already in L.A. -- seven players 25 and under on the current roster, including center fielder Matt Kemp, closer Jonathan Broxton and starters Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw.
Martin is 26. The Dodgers ran him into the ground in each of the last two years and promised not to do it again this year, but he has caught more innings than any major league catcher besides Yadier Molina.
The Blue Jays would have control of Martin for three years beyond this one. They could maximize his offensive skills in that time by using him at third base, where he performed brilliantly for the Dodgers last year. They also could use him at catcher, at designated hitter, and on occasion at shortstop.
It's catcher or bust for Martin with the Dodgers, with no DH and third baseman Casey Blake signed through 2011.
The Dodgers' lineup would be weakened a tad without Martin, but they could survive with Brad Ausmus, A.J. Ellis and Danny Ardoin. If the coaching staff objects, they could get the Jays to throw in catcher Rod Barajas.
The Jays aren't going to trade Halladay for Martin straight up, of course.
The Dodgers also should offer two of their top 2008 draft picks -- shortstop Devaris Gordon, a high-ceiling shortstop prospect two or three years from the majors, and right-hander Josh Lindblom, the former Purdue closer who almost made the team out of spring training. Lindblom could go into the Jays' bullpen right now, perhaps into their rotation next year.
Keep in mind that neither Gordon nor Lindblom is ranked among the top 50 prospects in the minor leagues, as ranked last week by Baseball America. None of the Dodgers' prospects is ranked, in fact, and certainly the Dodgers will be bidding for Halladay against teams offering prospects near the top of that list.
This is not to say the Jays would accept Martin, Gordon and Lindblom for Halladay, or even that the Dodgers would offer that package. The coaching staff would be reluctant to lose Martin at this point of the season, and the organization has all but deemed Gordon untouchable.
But this is the time. This group of Dodgers position players will run out of time soon. Martin, Kemp, Andre Ethier and James Loney all are eligible for salary arbitration next season, when Manny Ramirez figures to play his final season in L.A. Orlando Hudson is not signed beyond this season. Blake turns 36 in August. Shortstop Rafael Furcal turns 32 in October.
