(Toronto) Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins was barely seated for a news conference at a Toronto restaurant when questions about Shohei Ohtani were coming from both sides.
The Japanese star, capable of shooting and hitting, is the best player on the free agent market and will earn an astronomical salary. Will baseball’s only Canadian team try its luck?
“I wish I could give you details about free agents,” Atkins began at the Baseball Writers’ Association of America members meeting in Toronto. For various reasons you know, we cannot do this. I feel very good about the team in place and the opportunity to improve it. »
“Stepping away from that specific issue, we’ve always had incredible support from the owners to make this team better, we have a good team and we work hard to make it better. »
The Los Angeles Dodgers appear to be the favorites to trade Ohtani, the two-time American League Most Valuable Player. But Toronto would also be among the possible destinations.
There were also rumors that the Blue Jays would try to move on from Bo Bichette, but Atkins indicated that the team was committed to keeping the shortstop.
“We are very lucky to have him and he will be our shortstop going forward,” the GM said.
It should be an interesting off-season for Atkins, who has been the team’s general manager for eight years. The Blue Jays were defeated in the first round of the playoffs for the third time in four seasons.
The club wants to win now and the pressure will be on to reach the second phase, which hasn’t happened since 2016.
On the pitching side, the Blue Jays can count on one of the best rotations on the circuit, but the offense needs to improve.
Third baseman Matt Chapman, outfielder Kevin Kiermaier and reliever Jordan Hicks are among the team’s players who received free agency at the end of the campaign.
Declining once again to elaborate, Atkins did, however, confirm that he had met with free agents and would meet with others. The CEO added that the team was open to many possibilities.
“This is a very good team that we want to rely on,” he said. If we have to make trades for players that we only have rights to for one season, or if we have to offer one-season contracts like we have done before, we are absolutely open to that. »
“But we are also willing to sign longer contracts and sign players who will be here for many years, and that costs money. So we’re in a position where we can do both, fortunately. »
