Blue Jays chairman Edward Rogers says the team made a serious effort to keep now-departed GM Alex Anthopoulos, and that Anthopoulos’ role with the team would not have been significantly different following the arrival of new president Mark Shapiro, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet writes. “[J]ust reading a lot of the press, there was a notion that in his renewal offer, somehow his job had changed. His job had not changed at all,” says Rogers. “His direct manager will change, but his breadth of scope and responsibility had not changed. We had full confidence in him.” Rogers notes that the Jays tried to reassure Anthopoulos about their change in leadership by offering him a long-term extension but allowing him to depart after a year if he wanted. “Our notion was let’s try it for a year and see if that would have worked,” Rogers says. Reporting earlier this week indicated that the Jays had promised to give Shapiro final decision-making authority in decisions about player acquisitions and departures. Here’s more from the East divisions.
- The Nationals have been linked to free agent Matt Wieters, but a source tells MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko that the team is not interested in signing him. Incumbent Nats catcher Wilson Ramos is coming off a miserable .229/.258/.358 season, Wieters’ agent Scott Boras has plenty of Nationals clients, and the catching market is thin, but it sounds like the Nats could look elsewhere to address the position. Kubatko notes that the Braves are a more logical destination for Wieters, who has a residence in the Atlanta area.
- It would make sense for the Orioles to pursue a reunion with free agent starter Wei-Yin Chen, but that doesn’t mean they’ll actually be able to re-sign him, Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun writes. Chen has been effective, and the Orioles need pitching and likely won’t pursue the very top free agents. The 30-year-old Chen will likely get a five-year deal, however, and the O’s will likely be reluctant to make a commitment of that length. There’s a good chance Chen will end up with a West Coast team.
So AA’s job wouldn’t have changed except now he wouldn’t have final say? Isn’t that a little contradictory?
What rogers was saying is that the previous reports were not true.
Pretty sure Beeston always had final say on big money decisions but deferred to AA’s judgement and vision in most cases. I would imagine that Shapiro would have his own vision and not give AA as much free reign, even if technically the org chart is the same.
Haha, he could do everything the same except have his decisions questioned and changed when Shapiro doesn’t agree. That wouldn’t be frustrating at work.
I’m sure AA won’t have a problem getting a job with another team.
AA will be fine, take a job like Dipoto did with Boston then get a better job next year. Don’t think the Marlins would be a good fit.
Wonder if Matt Wieters is a good fit in ATL…..I mean I get the need, but Wieters wasn’t exactly great this year and he’ll command 15+ mill/yr for 3 or 4 years, that’s a big commitment
He would be. His injury concern with failure so far to live up to the “Mauer with power” label will surpress his value to smaller aav and years. He was initially looking for a 100 million and now is probably gonna end up around 4/60. He doesn’t need to dh and can catch 140 plus games a year so the backup is less important. He catches a lot of base runners and he’s good clubhouse guy. He hits well but his long swing can get him in slumps. He is healthy now and we have seen him starting to put it all together. Next four years will be his prime. IMO he will be worth easily the 15 million four year risk. I wish the Os would sign him for that and that is despite they have an adequate player in Caleb Joseph to take over for much cheaper.
He wasn’t able to play even two games in a row this year. Are you willing to bet 60MM that his condition was temporary, without proof of his health before he signs. A doctor’s note just doesn’t do it for me. Avila has the same concerns, will cost less, and is better defensively. And he hasn’t lived up to his talent offensively, either.
Avila has different injury concerns that, for me, are more worrisome for a catcher. He has a knack for getting dinged with foul balls and bats that leave him dizzy at least once a week. I’d much rather roll the dice with Wieters who is an infinitely better hitter than Avila and is more likely to return to form as a fielder.
You totally underestimate the Boras factor.
Shapiro already has questioned the trades that got them to the playoffs this year. I don’t blame him for not wanting that person as his boss.
I agree with that. I not really a fan of AA, but he did do a good job this year. I would have left too…. Hey Alex, I’m your new boss. Congrats on the first trip to playoffs since 93, now let’s talk about how you ruined the future.
One other thing that some folks seem to overlook is that the Jays have to reload the majority of their rotation and far less talent in the farm system with which to get the job done. Leave that mess for Shapiro and ride out of town on the repuation as being the guy who made deals to propel the team to the playoffs for the first time in 20 years.