A baseball exec who is one unsheathed sword from being prodded onto a plank over a tank filled with hungry crocodiles, Ricciardi is about as popular in Toronto as a heat wave during the winter carnival. The immediate reaction to J.P.'s admission that the Blue Jays might run Halladay's possible availability at some indeterminate time up their recently pennantless flagpole to see who salutes goes something like this: (A background of tinkling Molson and Labatt's bottles would be appropriate.)
"If this guy even considers trading Halladay, he should be fired on the spot . . . "
But Ken Rosenthal, CEO of the Fox/Comcast Department of Things Guaranteed to Happen (Providing You Throw Enough Rumors Against the Wall) gave the Ricciardi trial balloon Hindenburg status. All but a done deal. If not sooner, then later.
The humanity . . .
Despite the $15.75 million his Blue Jays contract calls for next season - the final year on his current deal - this year's CC Sabathia could be the best pitcher on the block since Tom Seaver forced his trade from the Mets to the Reds at the 1977 deadline.
Whether signing a one-plus season lease or investing in an $80 million or so long-term deal for a pitcher who is 32, the here and now aspects are certain to seduce some GM who feels he is an ace away from a late-October parade.
The Phillies are said by many to have been inquiring about Halladay for several seasons. That makes sense because it is no secret that Pat Gillick, architect of the Blue Jays' two World Series titles and one here, has insider's knowledge of the organization he built to greatness. He enjoys returning to crime scenes, snipping the yellow tape and making off with a Jayson Werth or Greg Dobbs. And may the almighty forgive Pat for also making off with Freddy Garcia and Rod Barajas.
