Truth be told, you gotta overpay to keep the players here. In a MLB town like Toronto - outside of the U.S. - you might as well be playing on Pluto. So while I don't begrudge the enormity of the contracts, I do question the length of time Rios and Wells were signed for. The life of the contracts will really handicap future budgets - the removal of financial constraints like Rios and Rolen ease that burden. Don't be surprised if you see Overbay or Barajas - other big ticket items whose contracts expire after next year - get moved before Opening Day 2010.

As for Ricciardi staying, his demise is inevitable due to some questionable free agent signings, but he's playing both the role of ex-Maple Leaf GM John Ferguson Jr. and Cliff Fletcher simultaneously by clearing salary. Look at the moves made over the last month and a half or so - trading Rolen, freeing Rios, and to a greater extent last year when Frank Thomas was released; the decks are being cleared. Another possibility is that Rogers may sell the team, but in a market that's not really weaned on baseball, who would buy the team? source- http://sportsisreal.blogspot.com