SAN FRANCISCO -- Because the Giants hired Farhan Zaidi so deep into the offseason, there's a decent chance the new president of baseball operations won't hire a general manager before pitchers and catchers report. But Zaidi appears close to adding another piece to his front office.
The Giants and former Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi are in discussions to add Ricciardi to the organization as a senior advisor/special assistant, according to Andrew Baggarly and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Ricciardi would be the first known addition to a front office that is expected to mostly remain intact until Zaidi can further evaluate employees.
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Like Zaidi, Ricciardi broke in with the A's, serving as a scout and and director of player personnel. He was hired as GM of the Blue Jays in 2001 and let go in 2009. Ricciardi later worked for the Mets.
The Giants had hoped to have a new GM in place soon after hiring Zaidi, but it can be difficult to get permission to interview executives from other teams this late in the offseason. The club has been operating with most of the former front office in place, with Zaidi now leading the way.