Analyzing J.P. Ricciardi's Time in Canada
A Look Back at Some of Ricciardi’s Moves as GM of the Blue Jays
Here are some of J.P. Ricciardi's good, bad and ugly transactions as GM during his time in Toronto.
Good Moves
The Blue Jays Resigned 2B Aaron Hill to a four-year, $12 million contract extension (Apr. 4/08)
This deal looked like a steal at the time for the Jays and even more so after Hill became an All-Star for the first time and posted career numbers in 2009 (.286 AVG, 36 HR, 108 RBI). Even if Hill didn't materialize into one of Toronto's best players, which he is now, the contract still would've been very affordable.
Rebounded from a serious concussion, which caused him to miss two-thirds of last season with injury and earned 2009 Comeback Player of the Year award in the American League.
The Blue Jays received SS Marco Scutaro from the Athletics for SP Kristian Bell and RP Graham Godfrey (Nov. 18/07)
Scutaro, who had mainly been a valuable utility player for most of his career, was thrust into the starting shortstop role in Toronto and performed admirably, finishing '09 with career highs in almost every major offensive category.
Bell and Godfrey have never made it to the major league level.
The Blue Jays received RP Brian Tallet from the Indians for RP Bubbie Buzachero (Jan. 17/06)
The serviceable Tallet has been a valuable pitcher for the Jays in recent years, subbing in the starting rotation when needed and pitching in relief. Tallet has the ability to eat up innings as a long-relief lefty in the bullpen or an emergency replacement starter.
Buzachero has never pitched in the majors.
Bad Moves
The Blue Jays received RP Jason Arnold from the Athletics, sent SS Felipe Lopez to the Reds in a four-team Trade (Dec. 1/02)
Lopez started his career in Toronto, playing parts of two seasons before being dealt to Cincinnati, where he became an All-Star in 2005 with the Reds (.291, 23 HR, 85 RBI).
Arnold never pitched for the Jays.
The Blue Jays Received RP Paul Quantrill and SS Cesar Izturis from the Dodgers for RP Luke Prokopec and Chad Ricketts (Dec. 13/01)
Quantrill, a fan favourite and very productive reliever for Toronto, had his best years with the Blue Jays and remained a solid set-up man for two years in LA. Izturis struggled in Toronto but became an All-Star with LA in 2005.
Prokopec pitched terribly in Toronto, compiling a 2-9 record with a 6.78 ERA in 12 starts. Ricketts never made it above Triple-A ball.
The Blue Jays released SP Chris Carpenter in 2003
Letting Chris Carpenter go to the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004 might be statistically one of J.P.'s worst moves since Carpenter instantly became a star with the Cardinals. He has proven to be one of baseball's top pitchers when healthy but unfortunately, his time in Toronto was plagued with injuries and inconsistency. Looks a lot worse on paper than how Carpenter actually fared in Toronto.
The Ugly
The Blue Jays resigned CF Vernon Wells to a seven-year, $126 million contract extension in 2007
Wells has been the face of the franchise (with pitcher Roy Halladay) for several years now. The signing wasn't a bad move and it was the right thing to do at the time, the salary puts Wells among the game's richest players which is grossly overpaying for a player who had four good years (his best season coming in 2003 when he hit .317 AVG with 33 HR and 117 RBI alongside then-sidekick Carlos Delgado).
No one expected Wells would respond with a .260, 15 HR, 66 RBI season in 2009 after an injury-plagued season the year prior where he still hit a modest .300 with 20 HR and 78 RBI.
The Blue Jays signed free agent DH Frank Thomas to a two-year, $18 million contract in 2005
Thomas parlayed a strong second half of a contract year with the Oakland Athletics in 2006 (39 HR, 114 RBI) into a two-year deal with the Jays. His first year in Toronto wasn't as good as expected but Thomas still decent numbers (.277, 26 HR, 95 RBI).
However, the Big Hurt crashed and burned in his second year in T.O., which included public complaints about his playing time. Hitting only .167, Thomas was benched for his lack of production, his criticism of then-manager John Gibbons led to his release and Thomas eventually signed back with Oakland.
The Blue Jays signed CL B.J. Ryan to a rich five-year, $47 million contract in 2005
Ryan was one of the most coveted free agents that off-season and the Jays were able to entice him enough to come to Toronto.
The unproductive Ryan lost velocity and control after Tommy John surgery in his left elbow, which eventually led to his release in '09 with one-and-a-half years remaining on his contract ($15 million guaranteed), was disheartening to Jays fans and a tough pill to swallow for Jays ownership.
Conclusion
Before joining the Blue Jays, Ricciardi was the Director of Player Personnel for the Oakland Athletics, and given his track record as GM, a role he should consider going back to.
Ricciardi's drafting history is average at best with Aaron Hill (first round pick in 2003), Shaun Marcum (third round pick in 2003), Adam Lind (third round pick in 2004), Ricky Romero (first round pick in 2005) and Marc Rzepczynski (fifth round pick in 2007), as the only bright spots who have shown they can play at the major league level so far. Highly touted outfielder Travis Snider is a player to watch, showing flashes of power hitting ability this season in Toronto but he still needs to improve his defensive game and be more consistent.
Other prospects have either struggled in limited action with the Jays (pitchers David Purcey and Robert Ray), at the minor league level (catcher J.P. Arencibia and 3B Kevin Ahrens) or are waiting in the wings and have yet to be given a shot.
See also:
Ricciardi's Tenure as Blue Jays GM is Over
Toronto Blue Jays Training Facility in Dunedin
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