Blue Jays hire Mark Shapiro as team president
Posted Aug 31, 2015 06:16:38 AM.
Last Updated Aug 31, 2015 09:36:28 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have hired Mark Shapiro as their next team president, bringing in the longtime Cleveland Indians executive to replace the retiring Paul Beeston.
Shapiro will take over the role following the conclusion of the 2015 season.
It is believed general manager Alex Anthopoulos will have the opportunity to remain in his current role.
Anthopoulos’s contract expires Oct. 31, as does that of Beeston, who received a one-year extension after attempts to lure Ken Williams of the Chicago White Sox and Dan Duquette of the Baltimore Orioles were leaked.
Shapiro possesses 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.
Settling the presidency matter was important for the Blue Jays as their first high-stakes September since the World Series years looms.
Leveraging the club’s current success and overseeing expected renovations at Rogers Centre are just two of the tasks awaiting the next president.
On the baseball side, pressing matters include trying to re-sign pending free agent David Price, deciding whether to attempt extending Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, who both have club options for 2016, and filling in the starting rotation.
With files from Shi Davidi
