Blue Jays not in on Manny

He loves it in Toronto and hits more home runs here than anyone. Sounds like a perfect reason not to try to sign him!

OMG!!!!!!!!!! Yet another reason why JP RICCIARDI is a geek... Manny wants to come to Toronto, he plays well there..can produce 35-40 HR... but hey lets watch him go to the yankees and destroy us even further... WE WILL NEVER BE A WINNING TEAM WITH JP AT THE HELM.... HE NEEDS TO GO.........................................

LEts see manny , gets u 30-40 hrs a year, 100+ rbi's, .300 plus batting average and great in the field. why won't u wanna sign him if he can do that and he wants to play here. Also if he hits best hear , whos knows maybe he can get ya 40-50 hrs and an MVP season. I see no reason not signing and not making the playoffs with him. JP, i'm sry to say ur time is up. Cheers

Alright, let's get serious here. "Manny has always liked it in Toronto. He's hit more home runs here than anybody." Sure, but that doesn't mean he's going to take a pay cut in order to come here. We all know Manny's in it for the bucks and the publicity, something he's not going to get in Toronto.

Come on Ricciardi, we all know that Burnett is not going to sign with Toronto. This is Toronto's chance to get a power hitter in our linup. Manny can hit 30-40 home runs plus 100 rbi's. We need a power hitter.

Unfortunately the Jays can't afford the Manny/Boras combo.

JP: "Geez Manny, since you like TO so much, would you play here on a 2 year contract @ 15/year?"

Manny: "No."

There really isn't anything JP can do here.

I don't think Manny will go to anyone in the AL east. He will sign with 3 team (and not the Nationals!) HE is going to the Dodgers, Mets, or Phillies. If he does come back to the AL he will stay in the west and go to the Angels (b/c Teixiera will sign with the Yankees) or the A's

sign probably the best hitter in the game today y would u not want to do that jp? get maybe a good pitching trade and make the playoffs manny will do everything else. good idea

JP sould sign Manny!
Then trade Alex Rios and a minor league pitcher Ricky Romero. for Jake Peavey or Tim Lincecum.
With AJ Burnett and Alex Rios money you can sign Manny!
Manny makes that lineup stronger! and your Pitching will be as good as last year with about the same money!

Not sure I agree that Manny Ramirez should play for the Jays, but I definitely agree that it's time for J.P. Ricciardi to go.

Ricciardi has just confirmed to me that he is a numpty. I can understand that your players underacheived last season, but that doesn't mean you can't go and improve the core. If he really "likes this team", then he would improve it, not be in a stalemate with himself. Ted Rogers is in the hospital, quick, overpay a couple free agents and he won't even notice through all his billions!

It's true, Ted Rogers should dump Ricciardi. It was obvious the minute he signed Frank Thomas for the cash that he did. It would be so nice to get Manny but the Jays aren't in a position to spend that kind of cash while they have so much tied up in guys like Overbay and B.J Ryan while trying to get rid of a Frank Thomas hangover. The huge drop in the Canadian dollar really limits them too, it's like losing 20% of your revenue.

ok this is stupid riccardi we need manny he can turn us around just like he turned the dodgers around he could do the same with us with his power

Man, there are a lot of ignorant armchair GMs here. Ramirez TURNED DOWN an guaranteed offer 18.75 million a year from the Dodgers.

So what is the plan that is being proposed here? Pay Ramirez 20 million a year next year, and field a rotation of Halladay, Litsch, and maybe a couple of batboys?

The Jays need pitching and an affordable bat. Manny is out of our league. That is what Ricciardi is saying.

And Manny did not turn the dodgers around. If they wern't already in contention, they would never have traded for him.

ok,lets be real i know how us blue jay fans are really disappointed about not winning for a while,but the comments that i hear from blue jay fans only tell me how little they know about the way baseball works today .let me tell you that you don't know how lucky they are to have j.p ricciardi. sign manny? not if you paid him 50mil per year would he come hear at this stage in his career ,lets be real lay off j.p you have no idea how hard it is to lure top players here.

Time for a collective reality check in Jayland. As much as I salivate at the thought of a consistent run producer in the middle of our lineup, the simple fact is that there's no way Manny Ramirez is going to wind up in Toronto. Even with the 'extra' $12 mil freed up by AJ Burnett's imminent departure, there's still nowhere near the cash needed to bring him here. The type of big-money, multi-year deal he wants just doesn't mesh with the Jays' budget, especially with the increasing financial commitments to Wells, Rios and others over the next few years. IMHO, the Jays will probably look to 'add while subtracting', packaging BJ Ryan's $11 million salary and OF Adam Lind for a solid bat or decent 4th or 5th starter and using the post-Burnett surplus to try and sign someone like a Raul Ibanez, a Jason Giambi or a solid starter...should be an interesting off-season for us Jays fans, but one thing's for sure: it won't involve Manny Ramirez.

If the Jays want a middle of the order bat that won't cost 15-20 mil a year, they should take a look at Milton Bradley. Ibanez or Giambi are decent options as well, but only at a discount. Pat Burrel is another possble LF-DH who's flying under the radar.

I like the idea of packaging BJ Ryan, and it might make sense if you can sell him as a setup man or a middle of the order guy. There are like a dozen free agent closers on the market this year.

JP is right not to sign 37 yr older Manny. We do not need a high maintenance guy like Manny. He will be a big distraction to the team. Try google Manny being Manny and find out to all the Michael Jacksonesque-like eccentricities. That kind of disruption to get a power bat is a lot to put your team through. Giambi is old and one dimentional. Milton Bradley is also a "me first" type of distraction. I mean you would get more game out of a playing Scrabble than from Milton Bradley.

Get a 1A pitcher behind Halladay over a power bat anytime esp for playoffs. Great pitching wins over great hitting (71% of the time).

There had to be a reason Boston traded Manny. And LA doesn't want him either despite his numbers. Probably a nutbar who does more damage in the club house than with his bat.
JP has always hired "yes men". He thinks he's the manager. There's not enough room for JP's ego and Manny's. JP would never allow a super star.
Re: Burnett. He's gone. Get over it. The press have been on him like a pack of wolves. He's had enough of Toronto. Time to cash out.

Everyone who thinks the Jays would want Manny are wrong. Manny is a 37 year old with a high price tag. If the Jays were interested in spending 20 million a year for one player, for a few extra million they coud get a-rod or pujols, players who are just as good, probably better, and who aren't 37. Of course I'm not saying that the Jays will go out and sign a-rod or pujols. So why would they sign manny. Manny is the same as those players only older,slower, and a terrible fielder. If you still don't believe me compare Manny to Frank Thomas. Frank Thomas came off a 39 homer, 100+ rbi year. He was 38 years old. The Jays sign him for 9 million, less than half of what they could sign manny for, and the rest is history. Now if you still dont believe me, here's one more argument. If the Jays sign Manny, there is no money left for pitching. After Roy Halladay they have nobody that isn't a big question mark. Oh, and I nearly forgot, The Jays are already loaded in the outfield with wells and rios. So with all these reasons why the Jays shouldn't sign Manram, there is only one reason why they should: He's a good hitter.

Is Manny's batting average and high price tag worth the potential toxicity he may bring to the clubhouse? I think not. He and his bad attitude should find another home. The Jays should concentrate on keeping Burnett, while paying there other "tried and true" players more money.

Are you people out of your mind. As a hard core Jays fan I think the last thing we need is a cancer like Manny. Sure he can give use what we need a the plate and would work out perfect as a DH. A DH because he is below average in the field. I saw someone say he was great in the field which sounds like a Manny fan and not a smart person looking out side the box. If the Jays can't afford to keep Burnett which is our top priority then they can't afford to give Manny $20 million + which he isn't worth because he is not a complete player and not a team player. We haven't seen anyone from Boston say it is was sad to see him go, and all of them who did comment said they are a better team without him in the club house. The Yankees likely will not be picking him up either, they have enough BIG egos to worry about as it is.

you should sign manny ramirez he a good hitter and a good player he plays well in Toronto

listen, were all frustrated that its been 15 years we havent made teh playoffs. but now we h ave a grat manager in cito gaston. we should now give ricciardi one more year to make this right because he been around 6 or years already and its time for him to make all the work he done payoff. as for manny, it aint happening, we dont have the money and i think signing burnett is still realistic because, he just needs to give him 5 years and probably 75 million. also, even though this isnt a big issue, we shoudl rlly lock up halladay to an extension because he literally is the best pitcher in the game and we should keep him. laterrr

k..i am a huge blue jays fan and there is nothing wrong with going after manny...he would be great with his addition of his bat and power to the linup..You would be crazy if he wanted to play with you and you (JP) would ignore that..And another thing..JP is no GM at all...pretty sure a 2 year old would do better...he sticks with the same guys day in and day out and we always come up short...And izmar you said that pitching wins over hitting 71% of the time...if you were right we would have made the playoffs for a few years now..we always have one of the top rotations in the league and where does it get us..no where..So JP maybe its possibly time that you bring a big name to toronto that can supply us with some offense...if not..your time is done and it should have been a long time ago...Moral of the story...Manny would be great in toronto..and JP is a brutal brutal GM..

I laughed when i read the post which says Manny is a great fielder, obviously this person is not to intelligent on what makes a good defensive player. Manny is a great hitter, but he's not winning any gold gloves. Remeber when he decided to play cut off in left field and dove at Johnny Damons throw? Terrible.

dont sign Burnett beacuase hes overated and way to injury prone anyway and trade rios and a prospect for lincecum and do whatever it takes to get manny here hes the best hitter in baseball when hes hot period and u cant forget the fact how much more people are gonna show up at the games just for him sooo i really dont understand the jays will have moreee money cuz of him they will improve there offence dramatically!!!!! GET MANNY IN TORONTO THIS IS OUT ONLY CHANCE AT THE PLAYOFFS!!!!!!!!

And people need to stop saying theres noway he can come to toronto because of the lack of money.. because if ricciardi really wanted to win he would make this deal its very simple free up some money by trading rios and a prospect for linceum trade also ryan for whoever cuz the jays already have the best bullpen in the leaugue im sure some1 can fill in for him and even last year he showed his career is on the downfall and then u have the money to go after manny so this is not rocket science its the simplest thing in the world a 5 year old can do a better job then ricciard... this is the only time the jays can really make a push for the playoffs if they dont sign manny there gonna regret it BIG TIME.

Manny would be a great fit, Doc is the man in this town and the leafs , manyy no doubt you would be under the radar. But J.P come on, to sign big time free agents you need to push the issue you need to show that this team is on the brink fourth place isn't gonna bring players to the city. Make a splash and show players toronto is willing to win you sign a big hitter or two. For sure A.J will see this and stay ,proving there ready to win NOW not five years from now. NEED TO SIGN PLAYERS TO DRAW ATTENTION TO PLAYERS. Do it early via a trade or something to show the ones you want hey toronto wants to win now.{Mark Teixeira) aj stays ??? do it early, do it now, get it done
)

AND for the love of god what do u people want from Burnett? u guys are idiots honestly the guy has 1 good season in toronto and u guys are fooled for him wow he won 18 games what a big deal thats wut the jays wanted him to do from the start but it took him the last year of his contract to be good the guy is overated , overpaid and just simply garbage the dumb riccardi is trying to sign him to a 5 year deal worth something liek 60 million or whatever .. come on get serious a guy liek derek lowe is a wayyyy better option he has a much lower ERA and doesent get injured in the middle of the year ever year.. like think what u can do and what kind of players u can sign so i simply dont understand a single thing ricciardi does even last year trading glaus for rolen u have got to be kidding me the man doesent know what hes doing period..FIRE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

for u thinking all us aj burnett fans are dumb maybe we are
the simple matter is you have to get the train rolling and make a trade for a stud or sign one before they are all picked over you have to act fast early rather before free agents sign to draw attention to a club bring there attention to not just money but where a club is heading. Ya your right aj had one good year very true. But the realization is that people get drafted for potential and trade and free agent signing are potential untill later on in ones career AKA clemens Schilling halladay maddux. even theses starters and there early career struggled. so ya not saying aj is the only option but is an option but act fats before it is too late draw attention. by acting to try and sign a proven player like Teixeira or another via a trade might open a few eyes and might keep aj if that is what jp wants is all im saying

jp is an idiot if he doesnt go after manny because they are trying to find a power bat to fill out their line-up and who would be better then manny ramirez and even better he wants to come to T.O so why not go after him. the smart thing to do would sign him if you want to be in a pennat race!!!!

If manny wanted to play for the jays that bad he would take a paycut,and secondly where does he fit? There is already 2 good young players fighting for the starting LF position. What jp should do is trade the likes of aron hill,gregg zaun, lyle overbay and maybe ryan, with all that cap space you could go after a starting pitcher (not burnett) and a guy like teixeira,and maybe brad penny and you would have a pretty good rotation halladay,magowen,litch,penny purcy/richmond/remero the last three can fight to the death over #5......go jays!!!!

As a long time diehard Jays fan since they were first concieved and one of the 15 million who went to their first game ever, I still find it hard to believe that people would blame the GM for not being able to sign Manny. I agree that some of the things JP has done over the years have been questionable but he does not control the overall money which he is allowed to spend. That would be Ted Rogers and if he says you got only 100 million then thats what he has got to spend. Get over the stupidity of your remarks in blaming him. Personally I dont he has done that bad and its just been nothing but bad luck these last few years. 2006 we lacked depth in pitching. 2007 we lacked hitting mostly because of all the injuries and 2008 was just plain agonizing when it came to timely hitting. Never have I seen a club so snake bit these last few years. No matter how good a team is,if you dont have consistancy in pitching, fielding , hitting and the fewer the injuries the better how can any team win.

Stop complaining about JP just because he cant get Manny. Quit the whining and crying you all did this when Pat Gillick was in charge up untill 1990 and he got us two championships and they were also late incoming as it took time to build then do a slight makeover until Gillick got all the right people in place. So shutup with all the whining and crying and go out and support the team cause that wil help a hell of a lot more than a fielder that cant play defence or throw the ball.

Flinx1957

are people serious that we have just had a run of bad luck the deal is our minor league system is not all that good. ya we have a couple young up and commers but look at boston lots of players that came up through there system toronto cant afford to be hurt because they have no depth, either do some trading or clean house from minor leagues to the majors. too much talent is being wasted. every team has injuries but they have players to fill the void. toronto either says every year there not willing to risk the future of these young kids.....so then get players here that are ready

Is Jp a f*ckin idiot or what come on the guy hits 30-40 homeruns a year look what hes done for LA who cares about his anticts live with it. This is the type of guy to get you to the world series put up the money and stop chasing after guys like brunett and get a real pitcher while your at it.

If J.P is crazy, he will get Jason Giamby or Milton bradley

Both players like Frank Thomas.

We will waste our money if we sign with Giamby or Bradley.

Let's get manny because he would like to play in AL EAST

He wants to beat Boston at AL

Before, Baltimore get him, we need to get him.

Then, we need to trade useless players like Overbay and

Ryan for good pitcher

"LEts see manny , gets u 30-40 hrs a year, 100+ rbi's, .300 plus batting average and great in the field."

I agree that Manny is a great hitter...but your comment makes me wonder if you have ever actually seen him play? He is notorious throughout the league for being amongst the WORST fielders!

Let's forget about signing Burnett, and get rid of injury plagued Wells.
Manny is the real deal. Cleveland, Boston, and Los Angela's have all made it to the post season with this guy on the roster.
Correct me if i'm wrong, but didn't the Jay's have a better pitching staff then hitting. Take a risk on Litsch, McGowan, Marcum, and or Janssen to take over the roll of Burnett. Any team, would die to have a pitching staff like the Jay's without the like's of Burnett

Toronto is not big enough for Ramirez, and anyone thinking he would sign here is way off. Our funds need to be directed towards at least 1/2 mlb caliber starters and a bonafide starting SS. With Marcum gone for the upcoming season and McGowan not due back until May or after we need to fill at least one SP role. There are some FAs that could help for this upcoming season, and possible one year deals could attract the following [including their last seasons stats]....

SP Randy Johnson 11-10, 3.91, 44bb, 173k
SP Oliver Perez 10-7, 4.22, 105bb, 180k
SP Randy Wolf 12-12, 4.30, 71/162
SP Odalis Perez 7-12, 4.34, 55/119
SP Carl Pavano 4-2, 5.77, 10/15

Johnson tried to resign with ARI and was willing to take half in pay, to around 8 mil to stay in the desert. Johnson is still a k-machine and could bring in 12-14 wins. Perez is the Mark Langston of this ball era, big k's and alot of wildness. Wolf was rumored to be on our radar a couple of season's back. Got to the 12-win mark playing for two teams last season. The other Perez, Odalis is a bottom of the rotation starter, but still effective. I added Pavano so people would think me off my rocker. My point is that he had a great season years back in Florida with Arnsberg as his pitching coach. Could they catch lightning in a bottle? History over the last few seasons says No, but an invite and a chance could resurrect a once promising career.

The possibly more viable route would be through trade, and what the Jays have in an abundance of is quality MR arms as well as good solid pitching prospects [who have yet to prove their worth]. If arbitration pitchers like Frasor, Camp, and lefty Tallet have resigned, maybe now would be the time to move them. One thing Toronto has going for them is their lefty-heavy in the 'pen with Ryan, Carlson, Downs, Tallet, and even AAA pitcher SP Davis Romero [who had a cup of coffee with the Jays two seasons back]. I'm sure one can be moved. Maybe another deal with PIT may be just what JP needs. SP Maholm had alot of no-decisions and was 9-9, 3.71 for the Pirates, and would look great in a Jays uniform. As of right now, our SP depth chart is very weak for Opening Day.

Janssen is coming off surgery and I would be surprised to see him inserted into the rotation when the season starts. Downs has 'found' his niche as the premier set-up man and has now a MR mentality, and inserting him into the rotation would weaken the bullpen. Cecil, Ricky Romero, Robert Ray, and Luis Perez are all not ready...yet.

As for an infielder, the Nationals appear to be unloading, and SS Christian Guzman [.316, 9-55] had a solid year. A switch hitter who rarely strikes out. They also have INF Ronnie Belliard [.287, 11-46 in 300ab], who can play SS, and has some pop in his bat.

All in all, I don't think the Jays will be able to sign great FAs, but maybe a couple of good FAs. I think our route will have to be via trade, and even with the money available, I just don't see Ramirez coming to Toronto. He is a bright lights big city kind of player who shines in the spotlight. We need hard-nosed players who play hard every game. Players like the Tampa Bay Rays [and their 3 former Jay players Hinske, Gross, and Trever Miller].

H

Think of it you have Manny, Wells, and Rios in the outfield and think of the lineup we would have. From Wells, Rios, Rolen, Manny, etc...