Roy Halladay, who pitched Thursday in Tampa, is the most-watched man in baseball.

AP photo / Brian Blanco

BOSTON –– Roy Halladay and the Toronto Blue Jays have created baseball’s version of a tornado and have invited all interested to join the swirling storm as the trade deadline nears.

It’s no secret the Blue Jays are trying to trade their right-handed ace, and there are many teams who are interested. The 32-year-old pitcher is a top-of-the-rotation guy who almost guarantees a team 15 to 20 wins a season with a ton of innings pitched.

If there were any doubts the Red Sox would get into the mix, they made their presence known Friday when they officially contacted Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi. Talks are preliminary as Red Sox management is putting out the feelers. In the American League East alone, the Blue Jays have also heard from the Yankees and the Rays.

Toronto is looking for top-notch prospects and is in the process of heavily scouting organizations’ farm systems.

Halladay will waive his no-trade clause to join certain teams and has given Ricciardi a list of them, including the Red Sox and the Yankees. Other clubs are in the mix, too, including the Phillies, the Mets and the Giants.

The Blue Jays’ asking price from the Sox is thought to include pitcher Clay Buchholz and at least two other high-profile talents: first baseman Lars Anderson and catcher Mark Wagner.

While Toronto may not be afraid to trade Halladay within the division, the Red Sox probably wouldn’t want to see Buchholz pitching against them anytime soon.

If a contending club lands Halladay, it could easily become the favorite to win the division, and perhaps the World Series. The problem is that Halladay becomes a free agent after 2010 and will want another long-term contract. The thought of having Halladay in the Sox’ starting rotation, alongside Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Brad Penny and Tim Wakefield, is very enticing. That’s why Epstein has to at least talk and listen to Ricciardi.

But it doesn’t mean the Sox will be willing to part ways with some of their best young talent.

Why would they want to give up the likes of Buchholz, Anderson, Wagner and possibly someone like highly touted outfield prospect Ryan Westmoreland or the organization’s top pick in the 2008 draft, Casey Kelly?

Boston has built its recent reputation on the fact that management is not afraid to promote from within, allowing the homegrown talent to succeed.

After he struggled in a big way in 2008, the Red Sox thought it best to keep Buchholz in the minors to reestablish his confidence. There’s no doubt he’s accomplished that, posting a 7-1 record (15 starts) with a 2.11 E.R.A. with the PawSox. He has struck out 86 batters in 93 2/3 innings.

His stuff can be devastating, but he could be best-suited to a smaller-market team without the pressure that comes with playing in Boston. He turns 25 in August. There’s still a huge upside with Buchholz, and the Red Sox know that.

The Red Sox aren’t the only organization with intriguing prospects. The Phillies have catcher Lou Marson and right-handed pitcher Carlos Carrasco at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The Yankees are stacked with pitching, including Philip Hughes, Ian Kennedy and Joba Chamberlain. The Mets’ development system, on the other hand, isn’t that strong.

As the Halladay funnel spits the less likely organizations out first, there’s no doubt the big players –– perhaps including Boston and New York –– will be involved until the final days leading up to July 31 trade deadline.

jmcdonal@projo.com