Friday, July 21, 2006
BLUE BALLS
For Better or Worse:
Old Friend Shea speaks his mind, gets himself thrown out of Toronto.
"You've Got Some Big Ones, My Friend."
JUST WALK AWAY SHEA
JAYS MANAGER GIBBONS CHALLENGED HILLENBRAND TO A FIGHT; SHEA REFUSES TO SIT IN THE DUGOUT IF HE ISN'T IN THE LINEUP
Hillenbrand had been upset because he felt the Blue Jays were not sensitive that he needed several days to complete the adoption of a baby girl on the West Coast over the weekend. The designated hitter and corner infielder was not in the starting lineup when he returned.
Earlier Wednesday, Hillenbrand wrote 'play for yourself' on a board the Blue Jays use to post batting practice times. He later wrote the 'ship was sinking' and Gibbons confronted him.
JAYS MANAGER GIBBONS CHALLENGED HILLENBRAND TO A FIGHT; SHEA REFUSES TO SIT IN THE DUGOUT IF HE ISN'T IN THE LINEUP
Hillenbrand had been upset because he felt the Blue Jays were not sensitive that he needed several days to complete the adoption of a baby girl on the West Coast over the weekend. The designated hitter and corner infielder was not in the starting lineup when he returned.
Earlier Wednesday, Hillenbrand wrote 'play for yourself' on a board the Blue Jays use to post batting practice times. He later wrote the 'ship was sinking' and Gibbons confronted him.
Shea wouldn't just sit around for the Blue Jays...
So now he can kick back and relax for the next 10 days,
as he is designated for assignment.
"Gibby called a team meeting and then he stood up and reamed me out in front of my teammates. "He challenged me to a fight, and wanted me to get up and punch him in the face...I'm very disappointed about what he did and I find it very unprofessional."-DFA JAY SHEA
"He had a chance yesterday to defend himself in front of his coaches and his teammates. He chose not to." -Jays Skipper John Gibbons
Ricciardi said he wasn't surprised by Hillenbrand's behavior: Hillenbrand once called Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein a (Quote/Slur) "Fag."
"He made some pretty disparaging remarks when he left Boston. I don't think people forgot that."-Blue Jays G.M. J.P. Ricciardi
"Gibby called a team meeting and then he stood up and reamed me out in front of my teammates. "He challenged me to a fight, and wanted me to get up and punch him in the face...I'm very disappointed about what he did and I find it very unprofessional."-DFA JAY SHEA
"He had a chance yesterday to defend himself in front of his coaches and his teammates. He chose not to." -Jays Skipper John Gibbons
Ricciardi said he wasn't surprised by Hillenbrand's behavior: Hillenbrand once called Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein a (Quote/Slur) "Fag."
"He made some pretty disparaging remarks when he left Boston. I don't think people forgot that."-Blue Jays G.M. J.P. Ricciardi
THE NATION SPEAKS:
While it is doubtful that Ricciardi would trade Shea to a contender within the division, acquiring the versatile Hillenbrand could allow the Sox to make a move for pitching with a Kevin Youkilis, Wily Mo Pena, or the suddenly trade valued Mike Lowell. The rumored deal of Youkilis and prospects to the A's for free agent to be Barry Zito would make a lot of sense for the Sox, especially if they had Shea to play everyday at first base. Ideally, a deal involving Mike Lowell for pitching makes the most sense; A deal of Lowell, cash, and likely a prospect for Padres starter Jason Peavy, who is being well paid and has been a mild disappointment for the San Diego, is also a decent national rumor. Youkilis at 3b, Shea at 1b, and Peavy in the rotation makes the Red Sox a much improved team. More likely, the Sox would be getting Peavy and Ryan Klesko in the deal, as the Padres want to dump Klesko's salary.
-RED SOX NATION
