The Blue Jays introduced Mark Shapiro Monday as Paul Beeston’s successor.
The new president and CEO touched on the departure of Alex Anthopoulos, saying he’s disappointed he didn’t stay on as general manager.
”It was my sincere hope that I would have the chance to learn from him, to partner with him and work with him. He’s obviously earned the right to make the decision he made and I respect that decision.”
Assistant general manager Tony LaCava has been promoted to interim GM.
Shapiro also says John Gibbons will return as manager.
”John did an outstanding job and we’re extremely happy to have him back.”
On the subject of the team’s payroll for next season, Shapiro says ”we’ll have plenty of resources to field a championship team.”
And as for the club’s previous policy of not offering players more than five-year contracts, ”By and large that’s probably a good stance to take, but I don’t believe in absolutes. I think in the right situation, the right circumstance, I could foresee a seven-year deal.”
The 48-year old Shapiro comes from Cleveland where he spent 24 years in various positions, including the last five as Indians president.