Blue Jays midseason insights: All-Star aspirations, player extensions and ballpark plans

New York Times

4 days ago

TORONTO — Toronto Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro leaned against the dugout railing, sliding in front of cameras and outstretched microphones ahead of the club's series opener against the Chicago Cubs.
He lauded the team's progress this season, jumping from 74 wins to the top of the American League East, before discussing the business of the Blue Jays. From Shapiro's contract status to future Rogers Centre renovations, here are four notes from the president's midseason media session:
Over the 2025 All-Star break, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred identified Toronto as a potential host city for a future Midsummer Classic. The Jays have requested to host the event, Shapiro confirmed Tuesday.
Blue Jays business operations executive Marnie Starkman travelled to this year's All-Star Game in Atlanta to observe the event and talk with the commissioner's office. The Phillies are set to host the 2026 game, and the Cubs were recently announced as 2027 hosts. But 2028 and beyond remain open, with a decision expected soon.
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'All the feedback we're getting is positive,' Shapiro said. 'And I would hope that within the next six to eight months that there's clarity on that.'
This year hasn't been particularly kind to the leaders of Toronto's premier sports franchises. The Maple Leafs announced team president Brendan Shanahan's contract would not be renewed in May. A month later, the Raptors parted ways with Masai Ujiri after 12 seasons. Shapiro is nearing the end of his current contract as Jays president and CEO, which is set to expire later this year.
Though Shapiro declined to answer if he is actively negotiating with ownership on an extension, the president made his position clear.
'I want to remain here,' Shapiro said. 'And I can also say that both Edward (Rogers) and Tony (Staffieri) have been reciprocal in that desire.'
In his 10th season leading the Jays, Shapiro has overseen major renovations at Rogers Centre and the team's player development complex in Florida. However, since making the American League Championship Series in his first season (2016), the team has yet to win a playoff game. Entering Tuesday's contest with 98.2 percent playoff odds, the Jays should have a chance to change that in October.
Shapiro isn't the only one in a contract year. Manager John Schneider's deal expires at the end of the season. While Shapiro declined to comment on a managerial extension, deferring the question to general manager Ross Atkins, he raved about Schneider's improvements utilizing information and leading the club's big league staff and players.
'What I've seen in Schneids is just a guy who keeps getting better,' Shapiro said. 'I think that's in his nature.'
Under Schneider, the Jays are 278-239 and on pace to make the postseason for a third time in four years. He's in contention to win the 2025 American League Manager of the Year award and could be a candidate for other jobs this offseason, if the Jays decline to extend. Due to mid-season firings, there could be at least four open managerial spots this winter.
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But Schneider has only coached in the Jays' organization, starting as a low-level catching instructor in 2008. For a position like manager that's so predicated on relationships and organizational trust, he's likely more valuable to the Jays than any other franchise.
On the active roster, the Jays have at least five pending free agents. None are more important than Bo Bichette, who's on pace to lead the AL in hits for a third time. Shapiro acknowledged interest in retaining Bichette, but largely danced around the question of the shortstop's future in Toronto, noting a late-season pennant race isn't the time to negotiate major deals. The Jays rarely sign extensions in the middle of seasons, though Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s $500 million contract earlier this year was a notable exception.
'I'm confident that at the right time we'll make an effort to [keep Bichette],' Shapiro said.
After dumping nearly a half-billion dollars into Rogers Centre and Florida complex projects over the past decade, the Jays' renovations aren't entirely complete. They'll add another club in the 200 level behind home plate this offseason, Shapiro said, and other long-term stadium construction projects are in the works.
'Nothing as grand or as big as anything we've done,' Shapiro said. 'But there's still a lot of work to be done there.'
Another major business project Shapiro could oversee, if extended, is the club's 50th anniversary season next year. There's certainly room for more names on Toronto's Level of Excellence or the first non-owner statue outside Rogers Centre, but Shapiro didn't reveal any anniversary plans.
(Photo of Mark Shapiro: Nathan Denette / The Canadian Press via AP)
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