I can't figure out if JP Riccardi is the village idiot or an idiot savant.
I sat down to write this with the intention of crucifying the Blue Jays GM for his handling of the whole Doc Halladay trade. And from a fan's point of view, it would be a disappointment if he wasn't dealt for a boatload of prospects after the buildup over the last two weeks.
But every day seems to be some new report on the status of the trade -- we're going to deal him; we're not likely to; it's 50-50. And now he's come up with a deadline, July 28, which I'm sure is written in sand.
But then I thought about it a little more. I play a lot of fantasy sports and I'm in pretty deep AL- and NL-only leagues. So I asked myself how would I approach trading a major star. Well, I had that exact situation earlier this season when I decided to capitalize on the value of Chase Utley and see what he'd bring back.
First, I let everyone know I'd be taking offers for him. I outlined the kind of offer I'd be looking for and also said this wasn't a fire sale. If I wasn't blown away with an offer, I'd hold on to him. In fact, it would be much easier for me to hold onto Utley because our league doesn't have contracts and such. That makes his value even higher, relatively speaking, than Halladay's.
I got some interest, started taking bids, making counter bids and letting everyone know that they weren't the only ones interested in him -- that they better bring their best offers. In the end, I moved him for Colby Rasmus, Cameron Maybin and Madison Bumgarner. A pretty good haul.
So now let's take a look at JP. First, he let everyone know Halladay was available, that it would take a lot to get him and that he wasn't married to the idea of dealing him. Now he's given a deadline, another effort to increase the urgency other teams have to make a deal.
A friend of mine at ESPN asked me when JP was going to get fired. I told him at the end of the season. But he might actually salvage his job if he handles this dicey situation well.
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I find it interesting that one would seek to crucify JP Riccardi "...for his handling of the whole Doc Halladay trade" when it has not yet been "handled."
ReplyDeleteLet's see what transpires by July 31 with respect to Doc before judging Riccardi as a failure, or success, in this endeavour.
I am neither a Riccardi fan, nor a detractor; I support the notion of letting a GM do his job before calling for his dismissal.
Riccardi doesn't do himself any PR favours with his arrogance, which makes it that much easier for fans/media to suggest he be run out of town for failing to get the Jays to the playoffs, but he hasn't failed terribly in rebuilding the club. They had a decent season last year, and would be better off this year but for all the injuries to the pitching staff. And the Jays have added Aaron Hill, Travis Snider and Ricky Romero through the draft under Riccardi's watch.
I think he's back next season; I don't believe he's failed to such an extent that he'll be sent packing. And I have a feeling that, should Doc be dealt, Riccardi will get excellent value in return, further solidifying his hold on the job.
Which is sort of the shorter way of saying what I said. I think you're mostly right.
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