Linky Links
Some stuff I found interesting and thought I'd share.
- I'm not sure I buy this 100%. There are at least 2 sides to every story and I just find it too convenient that all of a sudden it's all JR Ricchardi's fault and that Roy Halladay is just an innocent bystander.
- Awesome cubicle pranks. The Chia-keyboard was my favorite.
- Another voice in the chorus that the true cost of Roy Halladay may be too high for the Red Sox.
- How to fix the economy. Yeah but those 48 and 49-years old will be pissed.
Chris Lynch's slanted view on sports, politics and entertainment. Please send thoughts or comments to chris.lynch@gmail.com
Showing posts with label JP Riccardi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JP Riccardi. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 01, 2009
Labels:
Boston Red Sox,
Cool Stuff,
JP Riccardi,
Roy Halladay
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
JP Riccardi
I'm starting to feel like the last guy on the JP Riccardi bandwagon. Reports are starting to more than trickle out that his job is in jeopardy. I don't think that's fair.
Riccardi was put in a damned if you do - damned if you don't situation. When he took the job in Toronto the Canadian dollar was strong and he was expected to spend some money by the fans of the team. Specifically he was expected to spend that money on fan favorite Vernon Wells. Now it is that contract, along with the deals given to Alex Rios and BJ Ryan that are coming back to haunt him. It was these three deals and how he handled the potential trade of Roy Halladay that have put him in this situation.
As I said - he HAD to sign Vernon Wells. Letting fan favorite Wells walk would have cost Riccardi his job. He gave the fans what they wanted and now the fans are mad at him for it. That's not fair.
At the time of the BJ Ryan signing - Riccardi was pretty much hailed for making a very savvy signing. Because of the strength of the Canadian dollar at the time - the money spent on Ryan wasn't as much as it seemed. Ryan was a guy who was used to the AL East and not just unafraid of the Yankees and Red Sox but successful pitching against them. The Yankees had Mo Rivera and the Red Sox had Jonathan Papelbon. BJ Ryan was supposed to be the Blue Jays answer to the other teams' closers. Remember - it was a very popular move at the time that propelled many people to make the Blue Jays the trendy pick to win the AL East that year.
Alex Rios? That was a bad signing plain and simple. However, like Vernon Wells - Alex Rios was a fan favorite. Riccardi signed him but I think it is only fair to give him credit for dumping him before the big money kicked in.
Riccardi doesn't get the credit he deserves for building a foundation that can be built upon and which can bring success in the near term. Aaron Hill and Adam Lind give the Blue Jays a 3-4 punch as good as any in baseball. The pitching when healthy is also among the best and deepest in baseball. JP Riccardi is under contract for 2010 and I think he deserves to come back.
I know that this isn't a popular opinion but I think I'm right about this.
I'm starting to feel like the last guy on the JP Riccardi bandwagon. Reports are starting to more than trickle out that his job is in jeopardy. I don't think that's fair.
Riccardi was put in a damned if you do - damned if you don't situation. When he took the job in Toronto the Canadian dollar was strong and he was expected to spend some money by the fans of the team. Specifically he was expected to spend that money on fan favorite Vernon Wells. Now it is that contract, along with the deals given to Alex Rios and BJ Ryan that are coming back to haunt him. It was these three deals and how he handled the potential trade of Roy Halladay that have put him in this situation.
As I said - he HAD to sign Vernon Wells. Letting fan favorite Wells walk would have cost Riccardi his job. He gave the fans what they wanted and now the fans are mad at him for it. That's not fair.
At the time of the BJ Ryan signing - Riccardi was pretty much hailed for making a very savvy signing. Because of the strength of the Canadian dollar at the time - the money spent on Ryan wasn't as much as it seemed. Ryan was a guy who was used to the AL East and not just unafraid of the Yankees and Red Sox but successful pitching against them. The Yankees had Mo Rivera and the Red Sox had Jonathan Papelbon. BJ Ryan was supposed to be the Blue Jays answer to the other teams' closers. Remember - it was a very popular move at the time that propelled many people to make the Blue Jays the trendy pick to win the AL East that year.
Alex Rios? That was a bad signing plain and simple. However, like Vernon Wells - Alex Rios was a fan favorite. Riccardi signed him but I think it is only fair to give him credit for dumping him before the big money kicked in.
Riccardi doesn't get the credit he deserves for building a foundation that can be built upon and which can bring success in the near term. Aaron Hill and Adam Lind give the Blue Jays a 3-4 punch as good as any in baseball. The pitching when healthy is also among the best and deepest in baseball. JP Riccardi is under contract for 2010 and I think he deserves to come back.
I know that this isn't a popular opinion but I think I'm right about this.
Labels:
Alex Rios,
JP Riccardi,
Roy Halladay,
Toronto Blue Jays,
Vernon Wells
Friday, June 20, 2008
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays today fired manager John Gibbons. They replaced Gibbons with Cito Gaston. A few thoughts on this situation:
1. The Blue Jays are a better team than their record. The pitching has held up their end of the bargain with a 3.64 ERA but the team just hasn't been able to hit. Vernon Wells being hurt hasn't helped. Alex Rios having an OPS over 150 points below his production the past two years is also a big part of the problem.
2. Cito Gaston is there to kick guys in the ass. Make no mistake. He has nothing to lose. If he gets the team to perform - he gets a big league managing job. If not he fades back to obscurity.
3. The team needs a big bat and JP Riccardi is on the hot seat. That spells TRADE. Look for the Blue Jays to be active in emptying the minor league cupboards in trying to win now. Maybe a play for Jason Bay is in the cards. My guess is that Adam Dunn won't be high on the list though. Of course Riccardi does have a contract until 2010 so its not like he's got a gun to his head.
4. Look for outfielder Adam Lind to be recalled from the Syracuse Chiefs. He's the only minor league bat who could help the offense right now. This is of course unless Lind is traded for a veteran (see above).
5. Maybe instead of firing more people or trading anyone - Toronto should change the team name to just the "Jays". Hey it worked for Tampa Bay.
The Toronto Blue Jays today fired manager John Gibbons. They replaced Gibbons with Cito Gaston. A few thoughts on this situation:
1. The Blue Jays are a better team than their record. The pitching has held up their end of the bargain with a 3.64 ERA but the team just hasn't been able to hit. Vernon Wells being hurt hasn't helped. Alex Rios having an OPS over 150 points below his production the past two years is also a big part of the problem.
2. Cito Gaston is there to kick guys in the ass. Make no mistake. He has nothing to lose. If he gets the team to perform - he gets a big league managing job. If not he fades back to obscurity.
3. The team needs a big bat and JP Riccardi is on the hot seat. That spells TRADE. Look for the Blue Jays to be active in emptying the minor league cupboards in trying to win now. Maybe a play for Jason Bay is in the cards. My guess is that Adam Dunn won't be high on the list though. Of course Riccardi does have a contract until 2010 so its not like he's got a gun to his head.
4. Look for outfielder Adam Lind to be recalled from the Syracuse Chiefs. He's the only minor league bat who could help the offense right now. This is of course unless Lind is traded for a veteran (see above).
5. Maybe instead of firing more people or trading anyone - Toronto should change the team name to just the "Jays". Hey it worked for Tampa Bay.
Labels:
Adam Lind,
Cito Gaston,
John Gibbons,
JP Riccardi,
Toronto Blue Jays
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