<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Given the chance to make a bold prediction about this year's version of the Toronto Blue Jays, the team instead chose the quiet-confidence route last night. The occasion was the club's annual winter banquet for season-ticket holders. Several hundred took advantage of pizza, free beer and the chance to talk baseball with J.P. Ricciardi. This has always been as good a platform as any for boasting. The sky's the limit for most baseball teams in February. Last year, president and CEO Paul Godfrey said that second place "wasn't good enough." After an injury-blighted season and a third-place finish, Godfrey was more circumspect this time. "We honestly believe that if this team stays healthy ... we can be a contender in 2008," Godfrey said in his opening remarks. As he so often does, Godfrey seemed to read the mood right. Those on hand were far more prickly than the light-hearted bunch from the year before. In a lengthy Q & A, they asked about fan favourite Ernie Whitt's demotion to first base coach, questioned manager John Gibbons' abilities and deplored the club's attempt to trade all-star Alex Rios. The mood was helped by the fact that Ricciardi came armed with good news about Rios: the club reached a one-year, $4.835 million (U.S.) deal with the right fielder yesterday and is trying to work out a long-term contract. "We're still talking to him. It'll probably be something that stretches through spring training," Ricciardi, the Jays GM, said. "We're optimistic. I think it's something he wants to do." The club also continues to pursue a long-term deal with second baseman Aaron Hill. Ricciardi imposed a deadline of opening day to get both deals done. If negotiations stretch past then, the sides will wait until October to reopen talks.</div> Source: The Toronto Star
