More from J.P. Ricciardi on B.J. Ryan's Release and Roy Halladay

by hugo on Jul 8, 2009 4:55 PM EDT in Toronto Blue Jays News

"We thought that he was not going to be the pitcher that he was able to be for us," said JP Ricciardi when speaking to Jeff Blair on the Fan 590’s Prime Time Sports this evening. "We thought that the player was not going to be able to help us in a role that could help the team win. At this point we thought it was best to let the player get on with his life."

"The player was not happy," he added. "The player really wanted to pitch more. I think that’s the competitor in him. Realistically, we just didn’t think we had a role that he could pitch in for us right now."

Best of luck, Beej. You gave it a go this season, things just didn't work out. When asked whether Ryan's release meant anything in terms of the trade rumours swirling around Doc Halladay:

"We’re trying to make our club the best club we can be," Ricciardi said. "In releasing BJ, obviously we’re trying to put the best players out there. As far as Roy Halladay goes, we have not traded Roy Halladay. We’re going to do what every team in baseball does, and listen to offers. This is the month where everybody talks."

He added: "The only way we move Roy Halladay is if we’re absolutely, totally blown away by an offer and say this makes sense."

Well, that's encouraging. But, harbinger of doom Joel Sherman has more:

"We have kept him from free agency twice and I don't think we have the resources to keep him from free agency a third time, so I have to investigate what is out there," Ricciardi said. "But my gut feeling is no trade gets done because we value him as one of the five best players in the game, and I don't think people will meet the price tag for that kind of talent."

Ugh. Ricciardi did say that the Jays' are budgeted to meet all their current commitments for 2010, so it's not like Doc has to be traded for financial reasons.

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Interesting times...

Great coverage, boys.

Sports And The City

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PLAYOFFS!!!!1

by eyebleaf on Jul 8, 2009 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

I don't know what to think anymore

Should he stay or should he go? Worst case scenario is he walks after 2010, and if I was a betting man, it looks like that is what will happen. I don’t want that to happen, but I also don’t want a Vince Carterlike trade. Oh man this stinks.

Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.

by craig in calgary on Jul 8, 2009 5:08 PM EDT reply actions

to me far worse

Is the possibility that we trade him for less than he’s worth. Then we lose out on the services of one of the best players in baseball for 1.5 seasons. The Twins traded Santana a year before they had to, got a crappy return, and then missed the playoffs by one game (not even) that season.

If the Jays keep Doc they should, at the least, compete next season with just a bit of luck, and that’s worth a lot to me as a fan. I doubt the king’s ransom of which people are dreaming would ever come.

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Jul 8, 2009 5:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

I agree

I wish JP wouldn’t have opened this can of worms. Instead of fielding questions from the media, and fielding pipedream trade requests he could be finding a LF/DH to help us compete. Funny thing is as Roy goes, so does JP. If Roy stays and the Jays do well, this helps JP’s job security. If he makes a shitty trade or Doc walks after another disapoining 2010, JP is gone.

Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.

by craig in calgary on Jul 8, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions

The carter thing was different, He wanted out, demanded a trade.

That lowers the value more then anything.

'But I don't want to go among mad people' Alice remarked.
'Oh, you can't help that' said the Cat 'we're all mad here'.

by JohnnyG on Jul 8, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions

Thanks for this:

Best of luck, Beej. You gave it a go this season, things just didn’t work out

Hugo. So often us fans decide that because a player is doing poorly that they aren’t trying or aren’t working hard or don’t care. Ryan clearly tried and cared. Came back quick from Tommy John.

I thought, when he complained about his playing time, that he was signing his ticket out of town.

by Tom Dakers on Jul 8, 2009 5:16 PM EDT reply actions

Who fills BJ's spot?

by aagoodfella on Jul 8, 2009 6:16 PM EDT reply actions

Downs

he was activated today

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Jul 8, 2009 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions

oops yes

brain fart

by aagoodfella on Jul 8, 2009 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions

Snakeface?

Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.

by craig in calgary on Jul 8, 2009 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions

also

Bastian says Snakeface is jumping right back into the closer’s role

"Let us go forth awhile, and get better air in our lungs. Let us leave our closed rooms... The game of ball is glorious." - Walt Whitman

by hugo on Jul 8, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions

Boy having Downs and Frasor to go to gives me alot more confidence.

Happiness is a long walk with a putter in your hand.

by craig in calgary on Jul 8, 2009 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Also, less temptation to use League for 2 innings.

They're not just hitting home runs. They're doing the little things, like hitting doubles.

by Torgen on Jul 8, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions

Or using Carlson at all

by syc on Jul 8, 2009 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Sad

To see how this turns out. I guess its best for the club.

by Outz on Jul 8, 2009 9:25 PM EDT reply actions

I didn't think JP had the guts...

to make the decision about Ryan. It was the right decision though, because not only was he the worst guy in the bullpen, it will wake up the rest of them. We might see some better relief pitching now. If not, they can bring up Murphy or someone else.

P.S. Last night’s performance shot Camp way past League and Carlson on the depth chart. Let’s see how they respond. I hope they can.

by Chesapeake Ron on Jul 8, 2009 10:49 PM EDT reply actions