Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine Batter's Box Interactive Magazine
Somehow, in all the excitement about our own interview with J.P., we missed this fine piece by Jeff Blair in the Globe and Mail:

The bottom line of Ricciardi's philosophy (often lost in the carping about scouts being fired and all the other evils that never seem to be dredged up by the people who matter the most — the fans) is risk management. Striking a balance when it matters. And defence is a part of it.

Hear, hear. Some people incorrectly portray Ricciardi as a stathead, obsessed with OBP. This article confirms my impression -- if you can't afford multi-dimensional studs like A-Rod, Vlad and Ichiro, you must sacrifice something to stay within budget. The Jays, while far from perfect, have at least become cost-effective. No more strong-armed $5 MM shortstops and $12 MM right fielders who are out machines.
Risk Management | 3 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.
_kris from Burli - Thursday, August 28 2003 @ 11:05 AM EDT (#93498) #
Great piece by Jeff Blair which hits the nail right on the head. If you dont have pitching then you better score some runs. JP is in the situation fiscally where he lowers his risk with all of his moves because he has too. Take the draft for instance. Its not proven that more College players become stars but it is proven that they have a better chance to contribute at the major league level. Due to budget and market restraints the Jays need guys to succeed and cant afford a draft or a year where they fail to produce talent in their farm system because they will always be in a position of not rebuilding but reloading due to costs of payroll. The best analogy for the Jays is almost to compare them to a college football program like Florida State that would lose 8 guys to the NFL but because of their recruiting efforts would simply reload not rebuild. There is a great article in Baseball America that talks about the 2001 draft and uses the Royals as an example. They took Colt Griffin and Roscoe Crosby, 2 high school kids. Griffin is now just starting to make strides in single a and Crosby is now back to playing football for Clemson. The Jays cant afford to take these chances it is poor risk management. Blair makes a great point when he says that all the complaints about the firing of scouts are coming not from the Fan's who matter the most but old school media members. Go Jay's, great job JP and great job Batter's Box!
_rodent - Friday, August 29 2003 @ 12:06 AM EDT (#93499) #
Thanks a lot for that, Kent--I printed a copy for the kids. A very heady piece, with Jeff Blair cutting straight to Ricciardi's voice.

How would our GM consider a player like Jack Wilson--ton of sacrifice hits, exciting defense, doesn't strike out as much as A. Gonzalez? Etc.

Is there an application for Ricciardi's formula: A, then B, but if no A, then B and C?
_R Billie - Friday, August 29 2003 @ 12:26 AM EDT (#93500) #
I don't think Ricciardi would mind an Alex Gonzalez assuming he doesn't have to pay him $5 million with a payroll under $60 million.
Risk Management | 3 comments | Create New Account
The following comments are owned by whomever posted them. This site is not responsible for what they say.