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Toronto Blue Jays: When Will Alex Anthopoulos’ Contract Be Resolved?

By Paul Taylor

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Alex Anthopoulos now has the upper hand in any contract negotiations with the Toronto Blue Jays

With the regular season finally over, the Toronto Blue Jays turn their attentions to the postseason, and bringing the World Series back to Southern Ontario after a 22-year absence. However, there is still at least one pressing matter off the field to consider.

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If everything goes as planned, the Blue Jays will be playing in game one of the World Series on October 27, but fans may well want to circle October 31 on their calendars as well. That’s because, this is the date Alex Anthopoulos’ contract is due to expire.

Heading into the 2015 season, everyone knew the general manager’s position was up in the air. Rogers, along with everyone else, waited to see how the campaign panned out.

Well, as we all now know, things worked out just fine for Anthopoulos. As such, you could be forgiven for asking what the holdup is, on offering him a new deal.

However, in a delightful twist, it is now the 38-year old who holds the upper hand in any negotiations with his current employer. If he so decides, he can do what players often do, and test the free agent waters first of all.

Certainly, now is the time to do it, given that Anthopoulos has never been more highly valued within the baseball world. I’m sure a lot of people in his position would seek to find out what their worth on the open market is, as part of any discussions with Rogers.

Jul 31, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos addresses the media during a press conference before a game against the Kansas City Royals at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

However, it appears that the Montreal native is not wired that way, at least not if a recent conversation is anything to go by. In a rare discussion about his contract situation, he spoke to members of the media, including John Lott of the National Post.

Anthopoulos said: “There’s only so many of these jobs to go around, and those of us that are in them are certainly fortunate to be in them, and I’m grateful as well. I really am.”

In some respects, Rogers are in an extremely fortunate position with their GM, who admitted that money is not a particularly big motivation for him. As he pointed out, he is already well set, after paying off his mortgage, along with the lease on his car.

Anthopoulos has come a long way since he started off as an unpaid intern with the Montreal Expos, back in 2000. It is clear that his work ethic and passion for baseball have got him to where he stands today.

In a further boost to Rogers, the 38-year old has also admitted he would prefer to stay with the Blue Jays. As he told Lott: “Why wouldn’t I?

“I’ve enjoyed every year I’ve been in Toronto. I love the city. I love everything about it.”

For now though, Anthopoulos would prefer that any talk about his contract situation is left until the postseason is over. That fits in perfectly with incoming president and CEO Mark Shaprio, who advised he would not be discussing his plans until the Blue Jays season has concluded.

Interestingly, once the Blue Jays get around to discussing a new deal with their former scouting coordinator, he will be doing it without an agent. While some would consider this naive, Anthopoulos said: “You’ve just got to be able to look yourself in the mirror.

“I’ve got kids, too and I want to do the right thing, and handle things the right way. It’s important.”

Blue Jays fans can only hope this sentiment is shared by others within the Blue Jays organization. Over to you Rogers……………..

Next: How important is home field to the Jays?

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