Paul Godfrey says Roy Halladay is the Toronto Blue Jays’ Derek Jeter. In other words, he won’t let him go without a fight.

“He’s the Derek Jeter of our organization because he epitomizes everything you want in a player on and off the field,” the Blue Jays president and chief executive officer said yesterday before the All-Star Game, referring to Jeter, the New York Yankees’ captain and shortstop.

“He’s a role model. To be quite honest, the things he said [Monday] were just Roy expressing the opinions and concerns he, I and a lot of people have with respect to the way the club has functioned in the last few years.

“It’s not for lack of money. It’s not for lack of trying. But you don’t want Roy Halladay to ever think there’s no hope of winning in Toronto.”

Halladay, who pitched the fourth inning of the All-Star Game, on Monday expressed a growing sense of frustration with the organization’s inability to get over the hump and win the American League East Division. Coupled with that was a concern about the possible direction of the team, which could be poised for a major front-office overhaul.

Halladay has seldom been as open about his feelings as he was at Monday’s media session. But Godfrey did not appear to be completely surprised, because he revealed that he had spoken to Halladay’s wife, Brandi, over the weekend “about where the club is going.”

Brandi Halladay is heavily involved in the Blue Jays wives’ foundation.

Her husband seemed surprised when he was told his statements had some Blue Jays fans perched on a ledge.

“The question that was asked was, ‘Is winning a priority to you?’ And obviously my answer to that is yes,” Halladay said. “I’ve always said right from the beginning I’d rather win in Toronto than anywhere else. Honestly, it’s something that I’ve never contemplated.

“I have two years left on my contract, and at that point we’ll decide what happens from there.

“They [the fans] shouldn’t be worried I’m leaving,” he said.

“There’s no chance if I have anything to say about it that I’m going anywhere. I can understand maybe disappointment with the way we’re going. But as long as it’s up to me, I’m staying.”

The Blue Jays can be expected to try and hammer out an extension with Halladay during the winter - a contract that because of its size and scope would likely require the general manager and club president to be involved intimately in discussions.

Halladay is open to an extension, but he does not want to negotiate during the season in 2009.

“Absolutely,” Halladay said. “It’s hard to talk about things that haven’t happened.

“If that were to happen, would I be interested? Yes. Would I be open to talking about it? Yes. It’s something to this point we haven’t gotten to.”

So what are your thoughts STBuzzers? Do you think he of anyone can be okay losing heir whole career?

With files from Globe and mail.

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