J.P. Ricciardi on the how the Red Sox should approach this off-season.

I'll tell you a little -- of us just doing all the talking I was -- I've been here for awhile smoke I didn't even -- on the line there in areas JP Rashard yellow JP. Sort of make you wait you didn't see there -- maligned. And Taylor buck. -- ailment so what's on in my today how does everything don't get ready for the playoffs.

I don't. I. Don't know what's gonna happen.

We're wondering if the pats to win Miami in my design and a and a topic a strange feeling. Yeah. I I didn't I never -- baseball up the fact I was gonna I'll ask the first question into the -- supposed to -- the host but no excuse. What you're the host but I. But he's a baseball guy because I want I want you MVP -- American American League MVP and -- in.

and he would be Cabrera. -- And I think it is she gets them to under 100 RBI 52 home runs and look at it but it should get some votes. What if -- see to it but the fact that. -- can be good or whether I would out of.

So I'm surprised at north that your MVP -- you know mentioned Hamilton -- on the -- so.

that it that it could be -- heavy and it wouldn't commit all ought to really and the argued. It. A good job I think it's taken that it took out. The key. He led the league in runs scored and he's got a pretty good lineup. Agreed but he's eight and I was Obama beyond -- they -- immediately.

The JP just the interest of having a good dialogue you could you make the cases that threw -- no races for the post season this season the American League in September. That's what happened in April through August is what counts and Hamilton's 361 batting average help give the Rangers that huge lead the American League west.

You can make you want and beat them and I think he can present it that way -- to play quality division. Adequate that in the media and pitcher in the American League east so. I didn't play and I think you'd think what it would I don't regret at all. It because. It with the and everybody.

Since you have an MVP vote park -- you know filed that information away when you go sit down to vote I think it's a Pasadena and at an early to enter into backup JP what this is one of those career years since the -- no races. That you may have that exotic pick the guy who whose team. Whose team didn't make it to the post season wins -- so Cabrera Batiste. Beltre in the Red Sox is -- guy Konerko there a lot of guys who gonna get votes DP we we had this discussion -- about the cy young and then. I -- talking about it should be deciding -- but what guys and it didn't the American League east and and I've I've been saying here now I still think Felix Hernandez the most dominant pitcher in the game he had seven starts point 63 against the east he dominated the Yankees in. I'm just here's your thought a guy has thirteen wins. -- do you even consider him -- in in the talks.

Well I don't want it to be any easy and here he -- one of the best pitchers in the game. Describe the -- that. Except right now that we. You know can we shouldn't eat at an end you know most of the time. A lot of the -- went to close. And that we shouldn't is an -- and one game in the big. Part of what he brought that Portland game brought the league.

Especially since so few pitches -- anymore. Yeah.

Yeah. This being a quality of the picture. It appears only a little while that about we when he gigs.

It's JP give us some insight into this final week of the season in this regard. If you're of the razor here the Yankees and you're pretty much dead tied the rays have one more game to play and that's today its cars against Greinke. Where they take on Toronto over the weekend. Kansas City over the week and the rest that we can. But if you're dead tied how much how much you care. A winning division versus the wildcard and how do you how do you guys that manifests itself for your final series. This weekend against the -- Red Sox -- the Yankees and against Kansas City in Tampa.

That would really make media a little nervous at -- and lose that I went division -- an absolute. I'd start and a lot of people to these kids are rooted. Road club wouldn't put too much and the fact that. -- didn't play. It's really -- we. And then in the last. Days. --

No do you look at the four teams that are involved in the in the post season Tampa New York Minnesota Texas. You know I look at Tippett new York and I know within the -- through the best teams in baseball but I still see teams that are flawed especially their rotation.

That's really where. -- at. The Yankees cola. -- This is we don't at least he compete and -- is hurting is his groin. English children not good. I think that a lot of situations where. A lot of these communities commitment a lot of question marks as other they're gonna be able to texas'. The leader in the spot.

Yeah. About your thoughts about the one race that's left. I mean which pretty amazing as baseball does -- the beginning of every year and it rarely works output this -- it did in the National League west the Padres. Pending on what happens today. We'll either be one or two games back. Going into his Ceres. With the Giants this weekend to decide it in what's curious already inching thanks. The the Giants move Lincecum up last night he pitched a gem to giving up a leadoff home run eleven strikeouts but one of the reasons they moved them up. Is that the kind of in the driver's seat and if they do get to a one game playoff Lincecum now lined up. A pitcher one game playoff -- what are your thoughts about that race and can -- over think things are what do you like about what people are going out there with that.

Popular race is -- baseball -- and say that this is the great thing especially the have to go in this in this sport can succeed -- exceptional outstanding. Book and actually been better. Races are at it. Hudson and Lowell bringing them back on short rest. You know -- and act. And then. It to them about. Ali you know media Sunday that you addressed Monday. It is as well. Races is a great element in the all all credit the world who are. Oh and which which isn't -- a little bit at pitched.

I gotta crack myself from one thing that the the lead right now is two games for San Francisco they both played today San Diego gets the Cubs. And in San Francisco against Arizona so. Must win for San Diego -- otherwise if you lose and the Giants win now it's a three game lead going to three games you -- street the series just force play off.

It beautifully -- the back against the wall but they can take care of a little bit of business tonight and you know they've been a club that struggled score runs Alia I'd just. See that prevail. No stranger things happen.

If you wanna ask you is it is a former general manager. How often do you have scotus command and I always reference you in the whole Mike -- thing the guy goes on drafted -- ends up getting thirteen years in the big leagues and during the summer I read -- the sporting news on odd Torres the LP of the with the Giants. Who was a -- track runner cross country runner in college and ends up Miami into playing baseball. Spent like four years the minor leagues after use the big leagues and RBC somebody had a sell him on the Giants someone had to say we need to take a chance in this. How often do these guys these -- community your office or other offices and say I've got a guy when roles arises when you kidding me.

Well you know. In our industry. I don't think he can really sit there are you kidding me because I didn't look at the Patriots it would Welker would advocate discuss from the Jets -- look at what. Street you wouldn't but it felt like as well. One had to be a all of those guys and I think organizations. Discouraged -- a -- and we pledge that we like okay you're doing your job because they are has proved just. No cookie cutter approach who's going to be good with a going to be good so it's an -- anything anybody's attention I think you really act -- eight. Let's just keep pursuing this let's look at the -- it secure it wouldn't have to do to get on. So I think you're always. -- at the exit and I think they exclude scouts. It can you critic Huckabee can identify K Griffey junior. -- yet been great up to that point. -- it -- Not able baseball I think it is is. Kind of policy is is not a lot of great scouts there are a lot of good out there are a lot of -- good out in some great scouts. I don't think speech on the west with twenty great. Organization probably and I really good scout. That they can't live without but the majority of the guys out -- out you know that they're good at what you do but that probably people who -- up in weight so. It's great guys that really are valuable to twelve -- they should because they've discovered.

corral as an image he needs years ago he's with the with with the Braves in the Washington Nationals but used to tell a story about these -- in the -- They had an off day and in Joe Klein was general manager was gonna drive to Cincinnati and look at this high school kid. And the unions -- rock and -- as I wanna go with you and Klein said I want you to pick out what kind of Agassi. And it was it was Barry Larkin playing and they watched two winnings and -- is turn that Joe Klein he said it's easy it's the shortstop. And and on the way back Krause was saying you know what I couldn't be a scout I can pick up the best in the field I can't pick out that middle level kid. I don't have that talent that to me is the hardest thing in sports anyway can go to I putted -- minimal high school in Cincinnati where over the Q with a high school instead. That's the kid Barry Larkin that's a kid Ken Griffey junior.

Or -- what happens is -- it because -- out who wants to talk about who wants to identify those guys the guys who could eat. And and that's where that enables on the get up literally in the air really think. We need to execute we need to take them now and it economic this boat guys in the 25 on the thirtieth round. That have gone on a big league career so you know -- great great profession as you're really really admire the guys who looked good at a result organization.

JP deal was on the phone earlier today talking about what they need to fix this bullpen now they are change a little bit don't karma is gone Ramirez gone all -- arbitration if they don't spend money on him. How do you rebuild we -- know that's very difficult to do do you sign a guy like Scott Downs long term or do you try to bring in three of four. Whatever guys try to find that next Joaquin Benoit.

While I think a lot of it is at a much you have to work with. I've received you have enough money that you go culpable and by attracting created to commit -- you know he's probably gonna get a better -- I think it's a cases where you're bottom fishing in the try to make that we scraped out -- he was a he wouldn't spring training invite with but no guarantees. Struck -- the same thing about guys that pitched great. I could have a lot of ways to go out. I will say this I think it's hardest job based -- general managers but -- consistency -- as. One yet to another and and I don't ordered it at all anxious. -- of a sudden appearances in the extremely useful bounced back we usually don't have a walk around with guys in the and recreate itself. You can do it I think you know money's -- the -- in these guys can't and all the way. Given -- but he got opportunities and it and and critical building depend heavily.

JP your opinion about this Red Sox off season considering. Ortiz Victor Martinez Beltre and others. How do you how do you think feel might go about -- how would you go about it but what are you prioritize where you start. Heading into this offseason.

I think everybody sees that present the culture and -- and probably this one going to be one that presents more challenges. Then in the past -- economic threats are always done a good job of identifying what the strengths or weaknesses -- which we didn't want ago. And I think the president they'll go after the right way -- Obviously Beltran beat I don't try to bring back that we Martinez's someway shape as well -- try to bring back. What happens with free agent market is what if you could get out there. You know is that -- record -- other clubs that. As muddies the waters but. You know I don't feel I think it's good political or in the electorate the Nazis -- it's out on Monday.

So when the Ortiz decision comes up I mean you know from a fan's standpoint is really. Three choices you eagle on goal you take him back for a year. We try to sign him to a long term deal let's look at the middle one if you bring them back from one year clearly something that he doesn't prefer. When you're in the decision making process at some point did you know that that's not what the player wants. Is their considerable risk they're for you that you bring him back a guy who could be whatever distraction or not performer not live up to that one year deal.

Well I think you also have a look at the fact if you want to keep playing baseball beyond what you're gonna have to feel motivated the plate because he does a lot of -- he doesn't play well that is -- that a lot of questions -- If someone really want to be on that so. Because motivated and has as the complete its work is that centers because. -- get back on track record forward so. -- much about that I think things don't have a way it worked and now. You know I think what you have a one year deal would be great -- art.

I'm guessing you still have a an interest in Toronto Blue Jays. They made strides this year does that make in -- strident and keep what they have and build on that make a run next year.

I think Iran same problems that you know we had. In the years I put up Eric I think if you look at the stats it is it's all it's we drafted and developed into good yardage up. You know let it going to be I think offensively they got -- really good Colts where is that they be good. And you look up and you know to going to be all -- hundred but it the end of the day. -- actual bank up at least they can win any games the Yankees to get old but -- always they'll replace those guys. Anticipated it be good for a few years so I think that the Jays will continue to make strides but the -- the changes I think that's what the problem larger team like.

DP -- basketball Marco school royal -- Red Sox signed him you know I was a big fan of it I've seen a guy play a big fan his and I know your -- his. We'd seen him this year what was your take on him.

At Goodyear from I think defensively he's -- Ellis at times but I think people packed up. And an excellent in August he loves to play. They got a wide look well UT is banged up and -- really need. But I think you know you look at a guy with. I'm not mistaken about issues seventy -- it was. Maybe about 340 on base percentage. I don't think Michael -- and over appetite. I think he's really done all things that if you ask people are. Just think the team is different than they do what they thought it was gonna be -- be any -- But he considered safe and carry the team but he's very very solid player at an -- you know he's got -- and -- could be yes.

I JP appreciate your time is always. RGB Rashard. ESPN analyst former Toronto Blue Jays general manager here on the bench sparked sports it's little Maloney.