Time To Go J.P.

For all intents and purposes, the Toronto Blue Jays 2009 season was all but over toward the end of May. I was lucky enough to see the climax of their season. The final game of a sweep of the Chicago White Sox which came just before that crushing nine game losing streak. It's four months later, the Jays are in fourth place, and 14 games under .500. They let one of their best young players go for nothing, and for the better part of September, the Jays couldn't break the 12 000 mark in attendance. In what has to be arguably the most alienating season for a fan of the Toronto Blue Jays, someone is to blame. I blame J.P. Ricciardi.

Ricciardi came from Oakland to replace Gord Ash as GM in 2001. He brought with him a five year plan and the magic touch when it came to low budget teams. The Jays GM said upon arrival that competing with the Yankees and the Red Sox will be tough, but he could beat them with smart baseball moves and fiscal responsibility. Fast forward eight years later (what happened to the five year plan?) and this is what Ricciardi said,

"Let me make this clear: It doesn't matter if J.P. Ricciardi is the GM, or
Joe Blow is the GM. Two years from now, five years from now, seven years from
now, the reality that we face in Toronto is the division is not going to change.
If the Yankees want to, they can take their payroll to $300 million"

That to me is an admission of defeat. J.P. Ricciardi is screaming, I CAN'T DO THIS! I GIVE UP! YOU WIN YANKEES AND RED SOX!

Things have to change in Toronto and it's more then likely going to start with Doc Halladay being traded. Why aren't all 11 000 Blue Jays fans up in arms about the possibility of someone who readily admits defeat being in control of the trade of the best pitcher in baseball. This trade is going to be the future of the Blue Jays and based on their past, Ricciardi can't be the one to make it.

Thats Questionable At Best.