Clay Buchholz vs. Roy Halladay on Friday: what does this really mean?

The Boston Red Sox made an interesting move on Sunday when they officially promoted Clay Buchholz from Triple A Pawtucket.

His name has been swirling around amongst trade talks recently especially with the Toronto Blue Jays who are saying that there's a possibility they would trade their ace Roy Halladay.

Toronto is sitting in fourth place out of five teams in the American League East. They were hanging around for a while in the beginning of the season, but as of late have been dying off.

Tampa Bay has taken sole control of third place as they are seven games above .500.

It might be safe to say the Jays are done competing with the initial AL East powers, but if so, why trade away their ace to a division rival?

Halladay's contract ends in 2010 so if he were traded, his new club would have him for a guaranteed year and a half. They could keep him longer if they sign him to a deal.

So why would Toronto risk having to face Halladay almost 19 times a year?

That just sounds crazy.

Buchholz is scheduled to start on Friday against Halladay and the Jays.

It was reported that two Jays scouts were watching Buchholz pitch the other day.

Is this a test to see if Toronto is interested in striking a deal with the Red Sox?

There's a lot of speculation of that's exactly what's going on however, Boston would have to give up way more than Buchholz to land Halladay.

Due to the roster move, Boston will have a six-man rotation after the All-Star Break of Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield, Brad Penny, John Smoltz, and Buchholz and there's no way that's going to stay permanent.

But besides pitching, what about another bat?

That's what the Red Sox really need, is another secure power hitter to insert in the lineup if Mike Lowell isn't be up to par in the second half.

Why is no one talking about this?