Off-Field Fleeces: Ricciardi Crushes Dunn…For No Reason
I am sure many have heard of the comments made by Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi on his regional radio talk show in regards to Reds’ outfielder Adam Dunn. A caller phoned into his show to ask him about acquiring Dunn to help boost the Blue Jays’ offense. Ricciardi then went on to discuss his opinion of Adam Dunn the player:
“Let me ask you something. What do you know about Adam Dunn?” Ricciardi said to the caller. “He’s a lifetime .230, .240 hitter that strikes out a ton and hits home runs.
“Do you know that the guy really doesn’t like baseball all that much?” Ricciardi continued. “Do you know the guy doesn’t have a passion to play the game that much? How much do you know about the player? There’s a reason why you’re attracted to some players and there’s a reason why you’re not attracted to some players. I don’t think you’d be very happy if we brought Adam Dunn here.”
Wow. Talk about fleecing someone you don’t even know. He crushed the Dunn, and for no reason! What is this guy thinking? He is supposed to represent the professionalism
of his organization, and the industry, no? I mean, come on J.P. With the firing of Gibbons this afternoon, I would expect Ricciardi to be sliding into that hot-seat that has been vacated by the manager.
Filed under: Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays, _Off-Field Fleeces
Just a quick question, but didn’t JP just break MLB rules against commenting on players who are in another organization?
Several teams wanted J.P. Ricciardi several years ago as a GM and you have to wonder how this latest tirade has further tarnished his reputation. He could point to the last couple season’s of injuries to the Jays for poor performance, but this year, no such thing has happened and frustration may have set in to lead to this and batting woes have set in.
I agree that Dunn was not a solution for this particular park as a solution, it is not suited for him and his salary demands would probably not have been realistically been met for a resign for the next few seasons and he would have been a rent a player. He is maybe a flaaback player for the Yanks if Tex cannot be signed and in the new Yanks stadium, could/would probably at least maintain his 40 HR performance over the next 2 seasons would imagine as well as his massive walk and strike out totals, while also keeping his extremely low BA and cast iron glove and also, ending Bobby Abreu’s tenure as a Yank which is not a good trade off IMO.