Everything that I’ve heard and everything that I’ve seen, they’re very ambitious and want to win. They work pretty hard and that’s pretty much awesome to see.
— George Springer toronto joins the Blue jays,
In his first official appearance sporting a Toronto Blue Jays cap and jersey, George Springer said all of the right things.
And in that regard, there’s no real reason to question his sincerity.
In a Zoom call on Wednesday to discuss his six-year, Us$150-million contract and his expectations that go with it, Springer raved about the young Jays’ core and elaborated on the attraction of moving to a team that could continue the winning ways he experienced with the Houston Astros.
First things first, though: None of it happens without the money.
This is not a criticism of either Springer or the Blue Jays, in fact, it may just be the opposite. Without $150 million, however, George Springer quite possibly is a New York Met today.
But the fact that the Jays were willing to distribute the largest contract in franchise history — in the midst of a revenue ravaging pandemic with no inkling of when the team will even return to Toronto, no less — could be a revolutionary moment for Canada’s lone MLB franchise.
It wasn’t so long ago, you may recall, that the philosophy emanating from team owner Rogers Communications headquarters seemed to to pump up the payroll when fans come back to the park.
The new math, fought for and articulated by team president Mark Shapiro, is pretty much dead opposite. Shapiro has convinced Rogers to open the vault, build a winner and whenever they’re allowed to, the fans will come and spend, spend, spend.
“The signing (of Springer) is reflective of the plan,” Shapiro said on the Zoom news conference. “My expectation is that we will continue to get better and as we get better, revenues will rise.
“We think he is a perfect fit for our team now and for where we are headed. You don’t make moves like this and have a young core like we have without the understanding that once you set the course that you will continue in that direction.
“Part of that plan is that we will win and revenue will follow.”
Such logic rarely proceeds on a straight line in professional sports, but there is no denying that as MLB teams go, the Jays are in a relatively unique place at present. They didn’t get everyone they wanted this winter, but Shapiro and the baseball operations department headed by general manager Ross Atkins were shopping aggressively indeed.
And none of it could have happened if Rogers wasn’t willing to sign the big cheques, starting last winter with the US$80 million to acquire ace starter Hyun-jin Ryu,
“The incredible nature of this market — a country, not just a city — with a sustainable team that has a chance to win a world championship each and every year, there is no limit to what that can reflect from a revenue perspective,” Shapiro said. “It’s a behemoth.
“(Rogers) empowered us and encouraged us to stay the course and continue to stay on plan.”
To be fair, Springer was attracted by more than the Rogers rubles and said as much on Wednesday.
Those familiar with his negotiations describe an inquisitive Springer who was hungry to rejoin a winning environment, a sentiment toward to Shapiro, Atkins and manager Charlie Montoyo,
The Mets may have had some appeal because of their proximity to his Connecticut home, but as Springer noted Toronto (whenever the team plays here) is a short flight away and being in the AL East, there will be plenty of opportunities for family and friends to catch him in action.
“I spoke to Charlie, Ross and Mark and it really left me in a good state of mind, the way they talked about their players and the direction they want the organization to go,” Springer said. “What they envisioned for the city.
“They were themselves. They were honest about where they wanted the team to go and how much they believe in their players now. When you have a young, talented group already in place, it’s obviously attractive because you can see the potential.”
On that last point, Springer has a unique and highly relevant perspective. The star-studded Astros team he helped lead to the 2017 World Series title had a young and hungry group as well and yes, he sees similarities.
“Obviously I had the privilege to play with some very, very talented guys — Jose (Altuve), Alex (Bregman), (Carlos) Correa — and this lineup reminds me a lot of them,” Springer said. “I think it’s a young lineup but a very talented and advanced younger lineup.
“Everything that I’ve heard and everything that I’ve seen, they’re very ambitious and want to win. They work pretty hard and that’s pretty much awesome to see.”
The term of the Springer contract may have raised some eyebrows, given that somewhere in the six years he’s committed to the Jays, the three-time all star is likely to pass his peak performance window. But in their own vetting process, the Jays weren’t concerned.
“What he has done and his athleticism. His character. His resilience. He will overcome challenges,” Atkins said. “We believe he’s going to be a very, very good player, not just for the beginning of his contract but for the duration.”