By Web Staff
sportsnet.ca
Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi said Thursday that pitcher Roy Halladay told the organization that he would become a free agent when his contract expires in 2010, which is what spurred the team to solicit trade offers.
“Roy has told us that he is going to test the free agent market,” Ricciardi told the Fan590 radio station prior to the team’s 5-4 loss to the Cleveland Indians at the Rogers Centre. “I think knowing that we're not going to be able to retain Roy, or have to get in line for his services rather than having sole rights to have him, we wouldn't be doing our job if we weren't exploring (trades.)”
Halladay would not comment on Ricciardi’s comments when approached after Thursday’s game. He offered only that, "I'm not addressing it, I don't even know what he said. I'll (talk) after I pitch."
While Ricciardi said trade talks have heated up somewhat in the past 24 hours, with teams such as Tampa Bay believed to be in the mix, he reiterated that he doesn’t think a trade will get done before the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. He said he will make a deal if the team receives an offer that will strengthen it for more than just one year.
“We could also make a trade like this and turn our franchise around,” he said, adding trading other players is possible as well. “We’re in better shape in 2011 and 2012 going forward than we would be if we hold on to all these players.”
However, whether Ricciardi is around to see the team through those years is another question. His contract expires at the end of this season and he said even if the team offers him an extension, he’s unsure whether he would take it because a rebuild phase would be too similar to what he encountered when he first was hired as Jays GM in 2001.
“If (my contract) would continue, I would have to think about that because we'd be in a different situation,” Ricciardi said. “It would be a younger team, different direction we're going. (I) kind of came in that way. It's something I have to sit back and decide if I want to keep doing it because I never thought I'd be doing it eight years going on nine to begin with.
“(The American League East is) a real tough division and a lot of things have to break right to put you in that spot (to make the playoffs). I don't handle losing real well and that's a tough thing. The losses hurt more than the wins make you feel good.”
Should Halladay remain a Blue Jay, Ricciardi doesn't expect any difficulties in having him around in 2010. That would likely prevent a total stripping down of the club and mean the team will try to make the run at the playoffs it pitched to season-ticket holders last winter.
"I think Doc understands that if we don't move him, he's a Blue Jay," said Ricciardi. "He's willing to stay here and play and then when he becomes a free agent, if we went to him with an extension, he'd probably say I'd rather take a chance and see what free agency is, and we would then become one of 30 teams, as opposed to be the one that had the right to keep him away from that.
"I don't think we've given up on anything. I think we're exploring the fact that the player has told us that he wants to try to become a free agent. We're doing our due diligence in finding out what we can possibly get in the way of a trade. If the trade doesn't make sense for us than Roy stays here in '10."
with files from Canadian Press
