Note to Banquet Planners: Don't Sit J.P. Ricciardi and Adam Dunn at the Same Table

The Toronto Blue Jays rank next to last in the American League in home runs and slugging percentage. J.P. Ricciardi knows this, so when he went on a Toronto sports talk radio show the GM of the Blue Jays had to expect questions about how he planned to rectify those numbers.

One caller asked about a potential trade for Adam Dunn, the Reds slugger who has been the subject of many trade rumors. Ricciardi said he hit for a low average and struck out too much, leaving homers as his only selling point. The caller pointed out the Jays don't actually hit any homers (not adding that they also hit for mediocre average and strike out too much) and Ricciardi went loco.

"Do you know the guy doesn't really like baseball that much? Do you know the guy doesn't have a passion to play the game that much? How much do you know about the player? There's a reason why you're attracted to some players and there's a reason why you're not attracted to some players. I don't think you'd be very happy if we brought Adam Dunn here ... We've done our homework on guys like Adam Dunn and there's a reason why we don't want Adam Dunn. I don't want to get into specifics."

How much do you enjoy your job, J.P.? It's getting clearer and clearer that you aren't that interested in doing it anymore and this rant is just the latest example.

Without touching the question of whether or not Dunn would be a good fit for Toronto, what is Ricciardi thinking by going off like this? Just say "I don't feel comfortable commenting on specific players" and then don't make a move for him. Going off like this is highly unprofessional and if being too effusive in praise is tampering, this has to be some kind of anti-tampering.

As for Dunn's like of baseball, his lack of passion led him to miss all of 15 games over the last four seasons. He hit 166 home runs over that span so whatever his issues with average and whiffs, he's productive. Whatever his feelings about the game, I'd rather have a player who produces like Dunn and is indifferent toward baseball than Shannon Stewart, say, who may love the game but isn't very good at it.

(H/T BBTF)