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Mark Feinsand offers a good take on the Yankees' offseason direction and whether it'll involve Roy Halladay. The team will hold its annual organizational meetings in Tampa, Fla., next week, on a high as World Champions for the first time in nine years.

Never a group to rest on their laurels, the Yankees will evaluate the viability of trading for Curtis Granderson - if you don't give up the farm and can pair him with a lefty hitter, that's when you seriously consider it - and how it compares to re-signing Johnny Damon. Hideki Matsui's future - Brian Cashman says his only role will remain that of a designated hitter - will also be on the menu, as well as the possibility of adding a significant arm to the rotation.

The top two available starters are John Lackey (free agent) and Roy Halladay (again available via a trade). Each scenerio presents its set of pros and cons:

Lackey: A bulldog and a proven front-line starter with big-game experience. He'll only cost money, and the Yankees have plenty of it, but how far do they go? Lackey will help any rotation, but he's not CC Sabathia, and four more years and a ton of cash is already committed to A.J. Burnett. Figure on the Mets (if they're smart) making a major push and do whatever it takes to bring Lackey to Flushing. The Yankees may not want to engage in a bidding war for someone who has also gotten pretty familiar to the disabled list the past two years.

Halladay: In that elite group of AL starters with Sabathia, Zack Greinke, Felix Hernandez and Justin Verlander. Halladay's current contract expires after next season, which means the Yankees can pursue him without mortgaging the farm, but he'll be 33 years old and seeking another rich, long-term deal during an offseason when Derek Jeter's pact will also be expired.

The Blue Jays will insist a package including Austin Jackson and Jesus Montero, and perhaps Phil Hughes and Joba Chamberlain. In July I proposed a trade of Chamberlain, Jackson and Montero for Doc. I remain under the belief that Hughes has a better future as a starter than Chamberlain, and in Jackson/Montero you're dealing potential for proven production.

Imagine Halladay in a rotation with Sabathia, Burnett, Pettitte and Hughes. That takes pressure off the big lefty and no longer asks so much out of Pettitte, age 37 and succeeding more on guile than ability. As a fifth starter, Hughes can be eased back into that role with his innings easily managed. And as for Burnett, having Halladay as a teammate again will work wonders, more so than any personal catcher.

(On a side note, let Jose Molina walk. He's awesome defensively, but Francisco Cervelli is ready to serve as Jorge Posada's understudy and also easy to work with.)

Unless the Mariners suddenly begin fielding offers for King Felix, Halladay is the only guy you give up prospects to acquire. He'll get a second wind in New York and amp up his game and those of others.