Ricciardi is not on the O's short list at this point

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

October 14, 2011, 1:30pm

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There have been conflicting reports about the Orioles' possible interest in former Toronto Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi for their position of president of baseball operations. A major league source said that, as of late Friday afternoon, the Orioles had not contacted Ricciardi about their opening. Ricciardi currently serves as a special assistant to New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson. He was the GM of the Blue Jays from 2002 through 2009 and three times in that span, Toronto finished third or higher in the tough American League East. Ricciardi also worked in the Oakland A's front office when Alderson was GM there and also in Oakland for GM Billy Beane. Earlier today, MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko reported that the Orioles have received permission to talk with Toronto vice president of baseball operations and assistant GM Tony LaCava. A source said the Orioles have not yet scheduled an interview with LaCava, but he appears very interested in the job. He has interviewed in recent years for GM jobs with Pittsburgh and Seattle. It has also been learned that the Orioles have not yet contacted De Jon Watson, the Los Angeles Dodgers' assistant general manager in charge of player development.