Las Vegas is not the ideal spot to touch down in when you have empty pockets.
But that's where J.P. Ricciardi, the Blue Jays' general manager, found himself at this year's winter meetings. Upon his arrival, Ricciardi confirmed the worst fears of Jays fans -- that if they aren't able to re-sign right-hander A,J. Burnett, they will stuff that money that was due him in 2009 and 2010 -- a total of $24 million -- into savings and not invest it in other free agents.
So instead of sniffing after the likes of right-handers Derek Lowe or Jon Garland, the Jays were forced to be bottom feeders and hope they catch lightning in a bottle by signing injured free agent Matt Clement.
The Jays have gone down this road in the past and never come up with a plum.
"Anybody we add, we're going to have to subtract," Ricciardi said of the Jays' offseason plans. "I don't think we're able to take on a lot of payroll, so if we want to do some things, we're going to have to eliminate some payroll. Obviously, that means a trade."
It also helps explain why the Jays ended the week doing nothing of significance.
