Why would a general manager publicly criticize one of his own players? Perhaps to fire him up, though that strategy is questionable at best. Most likely such public criticism is simply frustration boiling over into the media, frustration better kept private.
Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi took a few shots at pitcher A.J. Burnett today, essentially saying he regrets the signing and questioning Burnett’s willingness to pitch through pain. How is that strategically a good move for the baseball team? It’s not. It’s emotion spilling over.
The comments seem even more foolish when you consider that the Jays might want to trade Burnett. Burnett didn’t get along with Florida’s front office, and now he’s going to have problems with Ricciardi and company. It’s no way to build up trade value. Why doesn’t Ricciardi point the finger at himself? Burnett was a known health risk at the time of the signing.
In the long run, Ricciardi will prove a worse investment for the Blue Jay franchise. I don’t have a bone to pick with him; I just think he’s done a poor job since his hiring in 2001.
