Blue Jays fire GM J.P. Ricciardi

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have fired general manager J.P. Ricciardi.

Interim CEO Paul Beeston announced the move on Saturday, saying he felt it was time for a change.

Ricciardi has been in charge of the team since Nov. 14, 2001, posting four winning seasons and four losing ones.

It was a controversial reign with poor free agent signings and off-field missteps overshadowing some productive drafts and other good moves.

His greatest failing was an inability to find a way past the Yankees and Red Sox and into the postseason.