Springer settling in with Blue Jays

George Springer says it still feels a little strange to put on a Toronto Blue Jays uniform.

It’s understandable, as he is just a few days into spring training with the Blue Jays — his second

Major League Baseball team after seven seasons with the Houston Astros.

“I’ve only known one thing for pretty much my whole life. I’ve only known the stuff in Houston,” Springer said in a video conference Tuesday. “I love those guys, but I’m here now and it's a new opportunity for me.”

Expectations are high in Toronto after a busy offseason. The Blue Jays landed arguably the most coveted prize in free agency by signing the 31-yearold Springer, a World Series MVP in 2017 and a threetime all-star, to a six-year deal worth a franchiserecord US$150 million (US) in January.

“I’m just going to try to do my job and help whichever way I can, and hopefully lead by example,” the outfielder said of the expectations.

“That’s understanding that I’m going to fail. Don’t try to do too much, don’t try to show emotion a lot, but just go out and have fun and enjoy the game, and play how I want to play and how I know how to play.”

While he may come to Toronto with a historically rich contract, Springer said he’ll have to earn his place with the Jays.

“It’s my job to earn the respect of the guys who are in the locker room,” he said.

“It’s not just handed out. The atmosphere that's been established here already, it’s my job to navigate it. It’s not anybody else’s job to figure me out, it’s my job to figure them out.”

Springer said he has been enjoying the atmosphere so far in the Blue Jays locker room, which includes some familiar faces from his time in Houston.

“Camaraderie is a thing, and I can tell that the guys who have been here, the clubhouse, the locker room that has already been established is a fun locker room, these guys enjoy one another and I’m excited about it,” he said.