Blue Jays president Paul Beeston recently discussed the Blue Jays’ path to contention with Stephen Brunt of Sportsnet.ca. Here are some highlights from their conversation, which touched on many off-field topics:
- Beeston says Rogers Communications, the telecommunications company which owns the team, intends to invest in the Blue Jays. “As much as they were maligned for not giving money for Yu Darvish or not giving money for Prince Fielder, the fact of the matter is: where we've needed a lot of money in the farm system and scouting, they've never held back,” Beeston said.
- Fans can count on Rogers reinvesting money into the team, even if they don't fill the Rogers Centre every night, Beeston said. “That's the difference between us and the Tampa Bay Rays,” Beeston continued. “They're looking to bring their salaries down. We're looking to take our salaries up, because we know we have the resources to do it.”
- Beeston intends to be more open with fans at times, though he and GM Alex Anthopoulos agree that leaking information to the public via the media is a competitive disadvantage.
- The AL East features its share of contenders, but Beeston says he prefers the division to all others because it’s so competitive.
“The AL East features its share of contenders, but Beeston says he prefers the division to all others because it’s so competitive.”
Yes. I love the Jays being in the AL East. It makes the division victory so much sweeter.
What division victory?
The division victory of the AL east. Sorry if I left it too ambiguous.
Since when?
Wow. Okay, I’ll restate:
Vying for a divisional victory in the American League East is more satisfying (sweeter) because the quality of the teams in said division are mostly top-tier, challenging teams with long-standing winning reputations.
For those who wish to nitpick (troll), I don’t mean that the Jays’ recent divisional victory was sweeter, nor am I saying that they’re going to win it this year.
You make sense. I would imagine that winning the NL West is cool and all, but to beat the AL East you have to beat the best. Much more satisfying.
True, but I think most would be satisfied getting into the playoffs no matter what. The last 2 WS winners weren’t exactly that impressive in the regular season, but turned it on heading into the postseason.
I take your point, but I would still rather have two-division leagues (instead of three divisions) with balanced schedules.
I can’t believe he would mean that statement preferring the AL East to others. Just because a team is competitive, there is no payoff for that alone many times and makes little to no sense, like making the best of the situation that will not be changed, though you can’t blame him.
As long as the Rays franchise (wherever it is located) has Friedman, there will be 3 teams that will be vying with Toronto and now the orioles have hired a competent GM who knows how to develop a farm system and within the International arena.
The AL East just could turn back into the early 70’s when every team was good (except the Indians) and in contention. Not exactly where teams get rewarded for just putting a good team on the field, like the other 5 divisions on many occasions.
I use to agree with you but now i enjoy the fact the we can play the giant killer. Nothing new, the Rays have done it and then we can also place claim of the greatest baseball team if (or when) we do. Difference is the Rays never had a three headed monster to slay, only a two headed. BRING IT ON!
Get this season started already!
And they love having a built-in excuse every year before the season even starts. It’s the only place in baseball where you don’t have to be competitive and the fans blame it on baseball instead of the team.
If you don’t think this is the toughest division (maybe in all sports), you’re the dilusional one.
Its not an excuse, its a fact.
Where did I say it wasn’t the toughest division? Like I said, it’s a built-in excuse that teams enjoy. It takes all of the pressure off the team. At the end of the year all they have to say is “well we play in the AL East”
Well, they do. Again, its not an excuse, its a fact.
Thanks for proving I’m right. The season hasn’t even started and you’re already okay with whatever happens because “they’re in the AL East”
Its NOT an excuse, its a measurement of the difficulty of the task. I fully expect the Jays to be a contender for a wild card.
edit: i read in post of yours further down that you weren’t just referring to the Jays. That’s true because all these teams (except Baltimore, sorry) are fighting for not only the top spot in the divison but for their playoff hopes with the wild cards.
we have reasonable expectations for the jays this year. what is wrong with that? surely you dont think we should be planning a parade down yonge street.
Seriously.
Not ALL of us are Leaf fans…
If that’s true; then we as Jays fans can say “well, the Cards play in the NL Central”
So I guess that World Series wasn’t so special after all, eh?
I love being in the AL East…and I’m an O’s fan! Not for the excuse, but for the competition. When the O’s finally get over the hump, I’ll be happy to know that they did it in the toughest division in sports.
And good luck, too! As a Jays fan I loved to hate the O’s in the late eighties. I’d love to rekindle that rivalry.
Yeah man, we had a great rivalry there for a few years. I’d love to see that happen again.
dude whats your problem? just enjoy your ws victory and quit trolling every single jays thread lol
How am I trolling? My comment isn’t about the Jays, it’s about the entire AL East. If you don’t like the truth then stick to your teams blogs. “lol”
you want another truth? if the cards were in the AL east, they’d be fighting to not be in 5th place.
Oh snap, son.
Get ready for heartbreak baseball is what i got to say.. Man.. I do admit those were glorious times back then (early-mid70’s) before FA took over and every team was on equal standing.. The O’s were powerful, Tigers, Boston.. milwaukee could slug with the best and put out a good team and the NYY were fair.. It was an exciting time with every team in contention around the AS break before Steinbrenner started throwing around millions.
Even in September you could always count on 3 teams to be in a dogfight.. I do hope those times come back and yes.. I miss the times when Toronto was respectable too.. Not a slight there…
I can remember at least twice, in the 70s, the AL East pennant being decided with a playoff games. Orioles & Tigers in 72 plus Yankees and Red Sox in 78(??).
LOL Thanks for that harsh reminder.. In ’72, the Tigers won the pennant from Boston because they had a record of *.5* game won better and all games cancelled by the strike were null, so detroit got to advance to play Oakland. I WISH there was a playoff game, or they had allowed Boston to play ANY of the cancelled games to make up that *.5* games they lost the division by and force a tie breaker.
yep.. Boston lost to NY in ’78 in that tie breaker.. My dad and i were at fenway that September for the “Yankee massacre” series also… Last time attended a game at Fenway…
I still can see that 1 game playoff series go don the drain with my all time favorite player (Yaz) hitting that popup into nettles glove with the winning run on base…
Oooops….sorry for getting 72 wrong. Wow, automatically assumed it was Baltimore because they had over 100 wins and 4 20 game winners the previous season.
“The AL East just could turn back into the early 70’s when every team was good (except the Indians) and in contention.”
This is a good thing. What a waste of a season if you won the division just for putting together a good team. I want playoff-quality baseball all year ’round!
I believe he meant it. AL East games have the best attendance and broadcast ratings in Toronto which directly impacts Blue Jays (owned by Rogers) revenue. Rogers SportsNet (owned by Rogers) also broadcast other baseball games on its secondary channels across Canada. Primarily Yankees and Red Sox. I venture to guess, along with Blue Jays, Yankees and Red Sox provide popular content for MLB AtBat which is consumed using premium cellular phone plans made available across Canada from Rogers Cellular (owned by Rogers).
Edit – By the way, according to Forbes, Tampa Rays had the highest operating income ($26.2 mil) of any AL East team. Red Sox $25.4 mil; Blue Jays $24.3 mil; Orioles $12.9 mil; & Yankees $10 mil.
Now the orioles have hired a competent GM who knows how to develop a farm system and within the International arena.
Hahahaha…. I am not sure what to say to this. Grant it, he has gone after international players, however to say he’s a competent GM… I think the Jury is still out :p
Also, on a seperate note: Fans can count on Rogers reinvesting money into the team, even if they don’t fill the Rogers Centre every night. Where have I heard this before(later part of the quote)? =P
The Orioles have gone after international players…
Hahaha, I am sorry they didn’t attach the sign with Duct Tape instead of scotch.
You lost me at “…the orioles have hired a competent GM…”
hahaha, I was going to get huffy about this =p…
Seriously, though JohnSilver was the one who said it. If you scroll up you will see that. I just copied and pasted to omment on what he said.
Now that I think about it, being in the AL East isn’t all that bad.
At least you get to see quality games at home… I’d hate to see Seattle, Oakland, Kansas City, and Minnesota more than we already see them…
oh. right. Baltimore…
See, the thing about having two powerhouses in your league means your constant seasonal beatings induces a great farm system due to the draft (i.e. Tampa Bay). So while they’re awful now, they won’t be forever.
As long as you have a competent GM…
baltimore isn’t even that bad. i mean they’re definitely not good – especially the pitching – but they aren’t painful to watch* (especially when your team is hitting against them)
*excluding game 162 in 2011, which was painful for a different reason
If I had to root for any other team besides mine, I would choose the Jays. I love their players, GM, and prospects. Too bad some players don’t want to sign there because of the turf.
Would having to relocate to Canada be a factor?
Maybe, but if the Jays had a team that was in contention for the playoffs, I believe that impediments to attracting free agents – such as playing on turf and moving to another country – would fall by the way side for most of the free agents. Winning fixes everything.
Actually most of the players in the Majors are from those South American countries (granted there are alot of Americans), so relocating to Canada would be no different than relocating to the States. Also, since the Jays play in the summer (Canada does get hot in the summer and our igloos does melt), one of the main complains that American players usually have does not apply (its too cold). Living in Toronto is no different than living in Detroit, New York, Boston or Chicago (just a little smaller city).
Living in Toronto is no different than New York, LA, or Chicago (just a little smaller)*
Toronto is the 4th largest metropolitan area in North America (excluding Mexico city)
So American players who don’t want to come to Toronto because it’s “different” from American cities are pretty ignorant; as a Torontonian, Toronto is pretty darn Americanized LOL
Rays payroll increased 50%
How did we win those World Series then if we have no actual experience of winning a division?
And if you’re talking more recently, the Jays finished 2nd in the AL East in 2006, which is most certainly higher than 3rd.
the AL East when the jays were on top does not compare to the AL East of today
You’re right. They had to beat out 6 other teams instead of just 4.
yup, that’s the only significant difference
It’s great that the Jays front office acknowledges that the fanbase felt let down by the off season, but I’m gonna have to go with the cliche here: I’ll believe it when I see it.
blah blah blah, just start the season already.
You are a starter and 1 good hitter away beeston. Spend some money
If that makes you feel better about the Cardinals 11 World Series, sure.
I kow how to spell his name, i just like my version better
edit: curious, is that “the best player over the last decade” an average? because wouldn’t Batista be the best the last two years? Also, my english isnt very strong but is decade singular since you mention only the last decade?
Yes, go Jays indeed.
Kyle lohse – opening day starter. that is all.
Good question!
Yes, “decade” is singular
(and believe me, you’re not alone in trying to figure out English grammar! :-> ).
Adam Wainwright being pushed back so he can start the home opener-good enough for me.
The same Adam Wainwright who struggles to hit 90 on the gun?
you lost me at “Orioles”
wow you really stirred the pot on this one. congratulations on being so clever (and fearless, apparently).
i’m sure the entire blue jays fan base is up in arms…
Did you just roll a bunch of Dice and go “Hmmm… this looks right”?
Absolutely. Could you imagine watching Seattle and Oakland 18 times a year… EACH?