Remembering J.P.

For eight seasons, J.P. Ricciardi was the guiding light of the Blue Jays. Where that light was leading changed, it often seemed, with the Blue Jays initially projected to be Minnesota East, canny and resourceful and mindful of the pennies, and then a team that swerved between expensive free agent options in a desperate hope to get back to winning.

Opinions vary on the success of Ricciardi in Toronto, but the fact is the team never won more than 87 games and four times lost more games than it won. There will be those who slag those years as years of darkness, like the Gerry McNamara years with the Leafs, and Ricciardi's refusal to live in Toronto and penchant for playing fast and loose with the truth didn't help him make friends and influence people.

But he did do some good. A big part of that good, in fact, may be en route to greatness, as left-handed starting pitcher Ricky Romero is beginning to become the staff ace he was projected to be when he was drafted out of Cal-State Fullerton in 2005. It's a decision that it's worth remembering as the Jays and their fans gauge the team's inability to sign first round pick Tyler Beede, another pitcher, this week.

It was a talent laden draft, and as Justin Upton (1st), Troy Tulowitzki (6th)i, Ryan Braun (5th) and Jacoby Ellsbury (23rd) have established themselves as big-time major leaguers over the ensuing years, the discussion has been over which one of those players was the best player in the draft.

And why the Jays erred in taking Romero sixth. Well, the others may have accomplished more, but in the wake of Romero's superb performance against Oakland on Thursday night, one in which he lowered his ERA to a level not seen for a Jays leftie starter since the days of Jimmy Key, Romero is making the case that he wasn't just another Ricciardi mistake after all.

The numbers are great, particularly in the last handful of starts. But more than that, the 26-year-old Romero is quite clearly part of this young team's leadership group behind unofficial captain Jose Bautista as it tries to move from being a club of promise to one that can challenge for the post-season.

Would the club be further ahead without one of those other players, particularly Tulowitzki, who went right after Romero? Perhaps. Tulowitzki is one heck of a ballplayer. But assessing the value of a shortstop versus a top lefthanded starter is tricky, and in the post-Halladay era, Romero's ability to become the team's ace is particularly noteworthy. As well, Yunel Escobar is turning into a pretty fine shortstop in his own right.

Maybe at the No. 6 pick that year, Ricciardi was in a golden position and couldn't have done wrong. But after years of saying he screwed up that pick, or didn't get the best player and in general did a mediocre job,, it's worth noting that he was the GM who brought Romero to town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Raina]

We have a shortstop, and he's awesome. We've actually got a backlog at SS, yet we are lacking in LHP (especially starters), so can we finally put that lame argument that he should have taken Tulowitzki to rest?

[Ian]

Considering Romero has since his first year halved his ERA and is starting to become a dominant pitcher in the league and on top of that he is left handed. I'm sorry, but at the end of the day those kinds of players are rare. Good position players exist all over the league. A lefty starter with an ERA under 3 and who can beat any team on any day is priceless.

[Darryl]

Nobody is denying that Ricciardi did some things right in his eight years at the head of the organization. He must have known something to get hired in the first place and the hand he was dealt in trying to cut payroll down to $50 million when Interbrew bought Labatt's was no easy task, especially with the Delgado contract. However, it was his arrogance and bad decisions that he refused to be accountable for, combined with his vile treatment of everyone, players and fans alike that earned him the wrath of us dedicated. Even a fool can get it right once in a while and Mr. JP I believe still needs to learn a few lessons in humility.

[Blair]

And a broken clock is right twice a day.... But yes the Jays uncovered a real gem with this 'mistake'.

[Fonzie]

People generally want to have a dichotic view of sports. Either he sucked or he was great. JPR was alright. Hell, he got be excited. I was really pumped when we got Glaus and Ryan, and I thought Rios and Wells were going to the hall of fame.... Looking back, it never worked out, but if Mcgowen doesnt get injured and the jays can run out Halladay, McGowen, Marcum, Burnett and Litch, and if Rios doesnt suck, maybe he is never fired. Overall., I like AA better, but like John Ferguson, JPR is somewhat underrated.

[devon]

check ur stats tolo went 7th not 6th. thought u guys were professionals

[Bill V]

Well, regardless as to how anyone feels about Ricciardi I feel that an impact everyday player has greater influence on win loss records. A starting pitcher gets the ball every 5 games, while a position player plays everyday.
Also it seems easier to acquire a starting pitcher, granted it's tougher to get an ace, but the last few years proves that one can be signed (CC sabathia, Cliff Lee, Zach Grenkie) Position players are harder to find, and JP should have known this, signablity was part of his reasoning, and he made a mistake in that reasoning, but not with the player he chose.

[ed dantes]

Jp may have rubbed a lot of us the wrong way but I have to say he didnt leave the cupboard bare.. Adam Lind, Shaun Marcum, Ricky Romero, J.P Arencebia, Aaron Hill, Marc Zep, Brett Cecil acquiring Jose Bautista in a trade and Marco Scutaro were good moves.

He gave out bad contracts to bad players like Vernon Wells and Alex Rios but I guess every team does that.

Alex has done a great job of trading for Brett Lawrie and Travis D'anaud but he had pieces to trade.

[sam]

Sometimes you have to have a little faith - With JP that was always an issue. Romero carries himself like the ace of the staff and by all accounts seems to be the leader - He's not outspoken or terribly outgoing, but it appears he respects and is respected. It's good to see him doing well.

[KD]

One good pick does not make a success.

[Ad]

Little confused here: was it Tulo or Romero who was taken 6th that year? There's conflicting information in your post.