This is why JP needs to be pulled into the street and beaten.
From ESPN - The Blue Jays are constantly being fingered as a possible suitor for Manny Ramirez. But GM J.P. Ricciardi told Rumblings, unequivocally: "We won't be involved with Manny. That keeps coming up, but it's not true. I think one reason is that Manny has always liked it in Toronto. He's hit more home runs here than anybody. And he likes the city, because he can fly under the radar here. So he may be asking his agent to try to find a way to put him here. He's a great hitter, so it's tempting. But being tempted and being realistic are two separate things."
Yeah, JP, who needs Manny, he's a totally unrealistic get, even though he wants to play here, has had an enormous amount of success hitting in the Dome, and the laid back baseball culture is EXACTLY what he is looking for. Right, who needs a Hall of Fame slugger that would stablize this lineup, put everyone else in their natural spots in the order, and probably make the Jays one of the more potent offenses in the AL, for at least the next 2 years. Speaking of unrealistic, you are trying to sign AJ, when the Yankees have made it clear that they want him and CC this winter. What's more unrealistic? Signing Manny when he wants to be in TO, or signing AJ who the YANKEES have a huge boner for.
Here's some more food for thought:
AJ's (Jays offer) - 4 years, $54 million
Manny (Based LA's offer, and most rumours about what he is looking for) - 3 years, $60 million.
On top of that Buster Olney reports that it is going to take a 5 year deal to lock up AJ, and the Yankees already have more than $54 million on the table for him. The only catch is that the NY offer is for 4 years.
So let's reiterate, its unrealistic for the Jays to expect to sign Manny for $6 million more than what they have currently offered Burnett. However, everyone knows that to get the AJ deal done, the final deal will have to be around 5 years for $67.5 million. $6 million more for a pitcher who is 32, and will be 37 at the end of the deal, and who has over the last 3 years in TO proven that he can't be counted on unless he is pitching for a new contract. Rather than saving that $6 million and signing a hitter that makes the TO lineup one of the more dangerous ones in the AL.
Yeah JP, way to allocate our limited resources efficiently. I fucking hate you.
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3 comments:
I'm disappointed in these developments as well, my good friend Billy Bee. But I think there's more than meets the eye than just J.P. Our good friend Teddy Rogers could be tightening the purse strings, especially now that the Cdn dollar is trading at 78 cents.
And J.P. has always put a premium on pitching in the AL East, hence the contract offer to A.J. Plus, they try to keep whacky guys like ManRam out of the clubhouse. He comes with a lot of baggage, not including his suitcases of money.
I'm sure you and I could sit down over a beer or 10 and discuss J.P. I'm a Ricciardi defender. I also believe in the lineup he's put together. It can't possibly be as bad as it was last year. Would I love to add Manny? Absolutely. But I think it was a pipe dream to begin with. I figured we'd go after Giambi or Bradley, but that ain't happening either. It's up to Lind and Snider, and that's fine by me. Let's see what these kids can do.
Eyebleaf - It seems that we definitely are polar opposites when it comes to JP. I would like to point out a couple of flaws in your reasoning:
1. Adding Manny and waving goodbye to AJ puts the Jays in a similiar cash position. In fact, Manny's contract would be better because it mimimizes their exposure to the deal. AJ's deal would run for a long time.
2. I am not saying that Snyder and Lind are not the future, I am saying having Manny allows the Jays lineup to hit where they are suppose to. IE Snyder and Lind are the 7 and 8 hitters rather than 6 and 7, or Wells and Rolen get to hit 3, rather than cleanup. It makes a difference.
3. Running up wins in the regular season is extremely dependant on having a good offense. Think about it, over the course of the regular season, the opportunity to pound bad 3,4,5 pitchers are abundant. It takes 90 wins to make the cut, depending on pitching to get those 90 wins is foolish.
Focusing on pitching has failed them for 2 straight seasons. Perhaps JP should try something new.
Whats all the bullshit you are spouting about Many "wanting" to play in Toronto???
Just because he has never openly stated that he hates Toronto does not make him have wet dreams about playing for the Jays.
Speculate all you want, but do not assume he is dieing to come here.
Maybe he is - but he has never stated it.
I agree with what Eyebleaf said. There is a good chance that Rogers is cutting budget in spite of their riches. We all know Burnett is a goner, its just a matter of PR that they are offering him a contract. That way when he leaves they can say "well we tried."
JP is by no means the best GM ever, but I believe his hands are tied on this one. If he was allowed to chuck cash money at Manny he probably would.
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