Liar, Liar Pants on Fire

In a dazzling bit of dissembling that would make George Costanza proud, Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi has admitted that the team lied about BJ Ryan's injury during spring training.  In essence, Ryan was pitching with a sore elbow all along, and his back (the purported culprit) was apparently fine.  When pressed to explain why all of the trickery, Ricciardi explained: "we said it was his back so we could have a little bit more time."

And, then, in an argument as audacious as it is absurd, Ricciardi assured Jays fans that they had no need to worry about the team's integrity, for "It's not lies if we know the truth."

Now, I'm wondering: what exactly is to be gained by lying about an injury?  I could understand, perhaps, if, in the interim period before Ryan's arm fell off, the Jays had tried to make a trade for a back-up closer and so didn't want to tip their hand.  But that doesn't appear to have been the case.  Instead, Ricciardi (as I read him) is simply claiming the prerogative to lie as a matter of general principle.  That is, of course, his decision.  But I sure would think twice about ever dealing with him, either as a GM or even as a player agent.  

And, to be sure, don't ever trade for a Jays player in your fantasy league.