Orlando Hudson happy he was dealt

[LittleOzzy]

"I thank J.P. Ricciardi for trading me, he changed my career," Hudson said yesterday on a rainy workout day in Souther California. "I didn't want to leave, I loved the city; the fans there were so good."

Two days after Christmas in 2005, Ricciardi dealt Miguel Batista and Hudson to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Troy Glaus and minor-leaguer Sergio Santos.

"I don't want to knock the guy -- because he might get another job somewhere," Hudson said. "But I bet the Jays fans are happy. I bet the players are happy."

Paul Beeston, the Blue Jays CEO on an interim basis, fired Ricciardi with two games remaining in the season with a year remaining on the general manager's contract.

"I talk to Vernon Wells, Roy Halladay all the time," Hudson said. "I watched Vernon on TV. He'll be OK next year. He's too good. I love him three times. Vernon is my boy.

http://www.torontosun.com/sports/baseba ... 6-sun.html

[Hoopstarr]

I'm happy JP traded him too. He was a surplus asset (Hill was coming up) that was used to fill 2 big needs: a 3B and a power hitter. Glaus was then flipped for Rolen, who was then flipped for our current best prospect. Meanwhile, Hudson's fielding fell to league average and his hitting is slightly above league average, which isn't saying much in the NL.

The most interesting part of that article is Manny saying once again that his favorite player was George Bell. He has said it before and also said the Jays were his favorite team growing up. He has even expressed his desire to be a Blue Jay last year before he was a free agent. I remember reading a 2nd hand quote like "tell JP to get it done", responding to a fan on the field. The Jays really blew it last year by not getting him. It would've convinced Doc to re-up and the team would've made other moves to go for a serious run. Oh well.