TORONTO – The hiring of Mark Shapiro as the replacement for retiring president Paul Beeston sets in place an important element of long-term stability for the Toronto Blue Jays, clearing the deck of a lingering issue just in time for the club’s first high-stakes September in two decades.
Really, the timing here is just about perfect, as the highly-regarded longtime Cleveland Indians executive can observe a promising Blue Jays team from afar before taking over after the season when Beeston’s contract expires Oct. 31.
There are several pivotal decisions to come, the fate of general manager Alex Anthopoulos first and foremost among them, and though the two men have only met in passing in the past, he will have an opportunity to continue on in the role.
Anthopoulos, whose contract also expires Oct. 31, has earned an extension as the club is positioned to reach the post-season in his sixth season at the helm, with a core in place that should be able to make several more runs in the years to come. The off-season heist of Josh Donaldson from the Oakland Athletics may very well be his signature move.
With five current GM openings around the game, Anthopoulos could become a coveted free agent executive, and as such deserves reasonable market value. From this vantage point, the type of autonomy Shapiro gave Indians GM Chris Antonetti plus the security of a multi-year deal seems like a fair way to take care of the last elephant remaining in the room.
Maintaining that continuity would be good for the Blue Jays just as things finally seem to have turned after two decades largely filled with frustration.
While moves of long-term consequence have still taken place in recent months, particularly the off-season signing of Russell Martin and the pre-trade deadline acquisition of Troy Tulowitzki, bigger-picture strategic questions for the club have lingered with Beeston due to retire.
Many of those issues might have been dealt with last off-season when attempts to land executives Ken Williams and Dan Duquette failed. In the coming months, Shapiro can frame a business plan around his vision for the club, allowing his general manager to work within those long-term guidelines.
Key calls in that realm will be trying to re-sign pending free agent David Price (does the five-year max contract rule remain?), deciding whether to attempt extending Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, who both have club options for 2016, and filling in the starting rotation. Restocking the farm system is another priority.
There are pressing matters on the business side, as well, with leveraging the club’s current success and overseeing expected renovations at Rogers Centre two of the key tasks.
Shapiro may very well be the ideal candidate for job, possessing an appealing blend of business and baseball experience, having served as president of the Indians after a successful run in player development and later as general manager.
As president of the Indians he oversaw a reshaping of the club’s strategy, brand and approach to customer service and led a series of renovations at Progressive Field, experiences that should come in handy in Toronto.
Jumping to the Blue Jays gives him the chance to operate in a bigger market with a bigger payroll and more room for growth. How his philosophies adapt to Toronto is an intriguing question, but Shapiro arrives as a man of depth and accomplishment.
The son of Ron Shapiro, a powerful agent who represented Cal Ripken Jr., Kirby Puckett, Jim Palmer and Eddie Murray, he grew up around the game but attended Princeton where he graduated with a history degree after playing four years of football.
Eventually he found his way back into baseball, beginning his career with the Indians as a baseball operations assistant in 1992. In November 2001, he took over as general manager.
More recently, he’s worked closely with commissioner Rob Manfred, earning selection to the Competition Committee, which addresses on-field matters, while also serving on Major League Baseball’s Ticketing Committee, which looks at marketplace issues.
In many ways, he very much should be what the Blue Jays need.
Replacing a franchise icon like Beeston won’t be easy, and sending him off with another run to the post-season would be very appropriate. And for the organization, being able to pass the baton from one top executive to another amid success rather than tumult is ideal.