As a public service, we're pleased to present, free of charge, two alternate versions of tomorrow's standard Canadian newspaper article on the Jays' decision [not] to offer arbitration to Carlos Delgado. Since Delgado's return [departure] will be a major story, this will surely be of assistance to harried columnists. Editors should feel free to adapt the article of their choice to suit the precise circumstances and/or agendas of their publications (e.g., search-and-replace "Godfrey" for "Ricciardi.")

Version 1

The end of an era: Jays wave goodbye to Delgado, future

It’s over.

Carlos Delgado, the best player in Toronto Blue Jays history, is gone. The Blue Jays refused to offer Delgado arbitration by the midnight deadline, which means they can’t sign him until next May.

Not that that will be an issue, because Delgado will be snapped up by another club – probably AL East rivals New York or Baltimore – within days. The rich will get richer, and the Jays – well, their bottom line will look just that much better, won’t it? And that’s what it’s all about for Ted Rogers, after all.

But there’s more. By refusing to offer Delgado arbitration, Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi also passed up the opportunity to receive compensatory draft picks from whichever team signs him. Which means that when the best player in Blue Jays history walks away, his team will be left with nothing – not even draft picks – only memories of what coulda-shoulda been.

So the Carlos Delgado Era is over. But there’s more than one show ringing down the curtain today. You’re also seeing the beginning of the end of the Blue Jays franchise.

The loss of Delgado – a surefire Hall of Famer, a tireless community contributor, a good citizen in the mercenary jungle of major-league baseball – is a stark symbol that Ricciardi and the Jays just flat-out can’t (or won’t) compete with the payroll monsters in their own division, let alone the rest of major-league baseball. If you can’t pony up the cash to keep this man – well, what’s the point? Who will you keep?

Ricciardi’s shrewd trade of Delgado-for-nothing just further solidifies the conviction that this team has no interest in winning, no interest in returning the franchise to its glory days under Pat Gillick and Paul Beeston. The game plan is the same: sell the locals on a five-year plan, blame injuries, blame the system, blame everyone but yourself.

Toronto’s sports fans, who are smarter than this, are buying into this plan in ever-dwindling numbers. Delgado’s departure will be the watershed point, and the vast array of empty blue seats at Rogers Skydome next season will make it clear that the fans aren’t buying anything anymore.

Looks like the Expos will soon have company in the baseball afterlife. Adios, Carlos; take the dream with you.


Version 2

The end of an era: Moneyball out, status quo in at Skydome

It’s over.

Carlos Delgado, the most expensive player in Toronto Blue Jays history, will be back next season. And with his return, the J.P. Ricciardi Moneyball Era in Toronto is officially over.

You’ll hear rumours of interest in Delgado from clubs like the Mariners and Dodgers over the next few weeks. Forget about it. Delgado’s place on the roster, and his gigantic share of the payroll, are all but written in stone.

If a player accepts arbitration, the arbitrator cannot cut his last yearly salary by more than 20%. That means the lowest the Jays could offer Delgado for 2005 is $14,800,000. If you think any team in this marketplace will give Delgado that much, the Blue Jays have a retractable-roof stadium to sell you.

Fact is, Delgado’s coming off one of his worst seasons as a pro. He couldn’t even crack his standard 100-RBI mark, his defence was again indifferent, and he hurt his reputation by refusing to waive his no-trade clause at the trading deadline.

Can you blame him? Would you want to pose for your driver’s licence photo on your worst bad-hair day? Multiply that by about 18 million and you’ll understand why Carlos Delgado and his agent, David Sloane, have no interest in testing the free-agent waters this year.

Ricciardi probably offered arbitration in the hope that Delgado would sign elsewhere, and Ricciardi could get more of his precious draft picks. Whoops! Better go check your computer spreadsheets again, guys: Carlos is back, and as a result, there’ll be no Matt Clement, no Corey Koskie, no new bats to revive one of the league’s worst offences.

But this isn’t just about a gross miscalculation. This is also about a fundamental reversal of the Ricciardi plan.

The Blue Jays hired Ricciardi to win on a budget; so far, all he’s managed to do is lose on one. With the World Series flag set to fly proudly over his hometown heroes’ Fenway Park next season, the GM has finally realized that no one here is buying all the Moneyball-driven, statistics-based, low-budget claptrap.

With an increasingly impatient ownership breathing down his neck, Ricciardi has opted for the crowd-pleasing gesture, the status quo and crossed fingers. This isn’t the way to build championships: Pat Gillick and Paul Beeston knew that, and when it was time to replace Tom Henke with Duane Ward, they weren’t afraid to pull the trigger. Of course, Eric Crozier is no Carlos Delgado, anyway.

So welcome back, Carlos. Consider that albatross in your locker to be an early Christmas gift from the organization.