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.
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. 🙂