TORONTO (Feb. 19) — Let’s be clear: No professional athlete is worth the riches being sought by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Neither is Guerrero worth to the Blue Jays what the slugger is evidently asking of Rogers Communications — a salary as obscene as the $51 million a year the New York Mets coughed up to retain outfielder Juan Soto. Why is Guerrero not feasible to the Blue Jays? The answer is two–fold: a) he’s the Auston Matthews of the ball club. Great in the regular schedule; seizes up when it matters. And, b) with Guerrero as, arguably, the best player in baseball for the second half of last season, the Blue Jays still plummted deeply into the cellar of the American League East. So blame Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins all you wish. But, when franchise–altering money is on the table — such as the Guerrero negotiation and those preceding him (to whatever degree) involving Shohei Ohtani and Soto — the front men are exactly that: conduits to the owner. Everything begins, evolves and ends at the desk of Edward Rogers, soon to be the most–powerful figure in Toronto sports history.
In this case, I think Ed got snookered. If there’d been any indication that Guerrero wanted to stay in Toronto for the bulk of his career, the Blue Jays wouldn’t have gone near Ohtani or Soto. What are they, Manchester United? Guerrero did exactly what you’d expect: he told the Jays to “shove it.” What King Ed must do next, but apparently refuses, is to replace Shapiro and Atkins with baseball executives that can build an expansion team. Given Guerrero’s all–but–certain departure next winter via free agency — combined with a farm system rated among the flimsiest in the Majors — the Blue Jays will be starting almost from scratch. Down the pike a kilometer or so is Scotiabank Arena. If you don’t think King Ed is involved in all aspects of the Mitch Marner negotiation with the Leafs, think again. Were you Brendan Shanahan and Brad Treliving, would you make a move irrespective of the big man, knowing he’ll own 75% of the team this summer? Of course not. Remember when Cliff Fletcher hired Ron Wilson (in 2008) as Leafs coach (replacing Paul Maurice)? Though Wilson possessed a very good record behind the bench, the decision was made knowing that Brian Burke would soon take over as general manager. Burke and Wilson were good friends (at the time) and former college ‘mates. Same applies here, at a higher level.
No important matter involving the Blue Jays or the Leafs goes forward without King Ed’s approval.
Why he continues to oversee dilapidation of the baseball team that bears his family’s name cannot be understood. And, it augurs rather menacingly for the future of the Maple Leafs. None of us know much about King Ed, given his reclusive temperament. How he’ll possibly remain in the background once in control of the Blue Jays, Maple Leafs and Raptors could be an interesting study. If the standard established for the Blue Jays since 2016 is applied to the Leafs, some lean years are forseeable. Considering his ponderous approach to baseball, it’s difficult to comprehend King Ed growing particularly upset if the Leafs crash and burn in the playoffs yet again. Nine fruitless attempts with the same inadequate nucleus could easily evolve into 1½ decades of the club pulling wool over its own eyes. And, that of its followers. Conversely, Mr. Rogers could turn into a fabulous owner of the Blue and White. Like I said, nobody knows the guy. But, all we have as evidence, thus far, is the rather staggering decline of the Blue Jays under Shapiro and Atkins. Both of whom, somehow, remain under the employ of King Edward.
There are ominous overtones from last season in baseball. No matter how poorly or disjointedly the Blue Jays performed, Rogers Centre was packed. It came on the heels of a much–ballyhooed renovation of the former SkyDome… and it cast an immediate spell over the sporting “sheep” in our city. Just as the Maple Leafs have done for decades, in the midst of the longest–ever Stanley Cup drought. At the arena, it’s simply a matter of opening the doors. The Leafs have been a habit forever. The Stadium, however, normally attracts audiences commensurate with performance of the ball club. Alex Anthopoulos energized the franchise and a dormant fanbase at the trade deadline of the 2015 season. We’re actually talking 10 years ago, folks, even if the memory of Jose Bautista’s bat–flip seems rather fresh. By adding David Price, Troy Tulowitzki and Ben Revere to a somnolent team, the Blue Jays left the Yankees in the dust and breezed to the American League East title. Suddenly, you couldn’t get near Rogers Centre, which had been half–empty prior to the trade splurge. Toronto, ultimately, lost in six to Kansas City in the American League Championship Series. Momentum carried over to the following season, but the Jays were fodder for Cleveland in the ALCS. Since then? Crickets. And, it’s probably going to get quieter.
It seems obvious why King Edward might wish to keep Shapiro by his side.
BLUE JAYS LONGTIME PRESIDENT, MARK SHAPIRO. FRANK GUNN THE CANADIAN PRESS
His mediocre baseball team notwithstanding, ol’ Mark carried out the renovation assignment spectacularly. Allowing Ed’s stadium to be filled most days and nights last season. What boss wouldn’t appreciate such a fine effort? As for Atkins, I’m not sure what he’s accomplished, if anything, in nearly a decade as GM. Even if decisions are ultimately made by Shapiro. Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt must be kicking themselves for getting conned into signing with the Blue Jays. Perhaps the same with George Springer… though none of the three are on food stamps. The promise of Guerrero and Bo Bichette as the “franchise” duo must have been appealing. With both, however, about to test free agency — and the development system threadbare — how are the Jays to attract prominent free agents? In a Division in which three teams (New York, Boston and Baltimore) are ranked amid the MLB elite? Baseball could expand its playoff allotment to 24 teams and the Blue Jays would still be on the outside.
My theory, thus far, remains unchallenged: Shapiro and Atkins are Siamese executives — figuratively joined at the hip. As I see it, King Edward has wanted nothing to do with Atkins for quite some time now. Why would he? The team stinks. Problem is, Shapiro has told Mr. Rogers “it’s either both of us or neither of us.” And, the King doesn’t want to lose his right–hand baseball man. This will invariably diminish in Rogers’ mind if the Blue Jays of 2025 become the Chicago White Sox of 2024. Or, even close. It will clearly test the mettle of King Edward as owner of everything–sport in Toronto. Including Mitchell Marner… for a few more months, anyway.
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