Ricciardi: Batista not unhappy with Jays 

Ricciardi: Batista not unhappy with Jays

Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi says dethroned closer Miguel Batista isn't trying to pave his way out of town, despite published comments suggesting the right-hander is unhappy with the team.

"Nope, not at all," Ricciardi said Wednesday.

Batista was dumped from the stopper's role last month when Toronto signed free agent left-hander B.J. Ryan to a $47-million US, five-year contract and has since been the subject of countless trade rumours.

The unpredictable 34-year-old threw a changeup into the mix Wednesday when he told The Associated Press' Spanish-language service that New York Mets GM Omar Minaya had expressed an interest in him to his agent, a claim Minaya later denied to the AP.

The story also said Batista wasn't pleased with the situation in Toronto, which was news to Ricciardi, who said he hadn't heard one complaint from his hurler.

A message left with Batista's agent wasn't immediately returned.

"We have no proof of it and it really doesn't matter because he's our property," Ricciardi said. "I don't know if it's true, it could just be Miguel saying it.

"It don't matter, what's it going to add up to? He's our property, we'll do with him whatever we want."

That now seems to increasingly include the option of keeping Batista, either as a set-up man for Ryan or as a starter. Signed to a $13.1-million US, three-year deal in December 2003, Batista started in 2004 and closed last season, converting 31 of 39 save chances while going 5-8 with a 4.10 earned-run average.

Still, he remains one of Ricciardi's best bargaining chips in his quest to improve the team's offence, which is his top priority after signing Ryan, free agent right-hander A.J. Burnett and trading for first baseman Lyle Overbay.

"If we can get a bat or two I think we'll be in great shape," said Ricciardi. "A right-handed (hitter) would be perfect.

"That's what we're trying to do but that doesn't mean we're going to do it."

One place Ricciardi said he isn't looking to shore up is the backup catching spot.

Mike Piazza's agent called the Jays earlier in the off-season to gauge Toronto's interest but Ricciardi said he plans to have prospect Guillermo Quiroz, who is playing winter ball in Venezuela, back up Gregg Zaun.

"I think we're going to stay with what we got," said Ricciardi. "I don't think (Quiroz) is tearing the cover off the ball but he's played OK.

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