Anthopoulos soon to be popular free agent
ST. PETERSBURG— The Blue Jays still don’t know their opponent for the first round of the playoffs that begin at the Rogers Centre on Thursday. They don’t even know where they will be seeded, be it first overall or whether the Royals will take top spot in the American League with home field for the ALCS.
Nevertheless, on a warm Saturday morning at the Vinoy Hotel, Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos called his front office people, manager John Gibbons and the coaching staff together to talk about October.
“I don’t think there’s anything that stands out,” Anthopoulos reported of the meeting and what conclusions it may have produced.
“We don’t have to submit the (25man) roster until the day of the game. We have the bulk of it set, just some areas, bench, the last few spots in the ’pen, things like that . . . just preliminary. We need to know who we’re going to play. We’ll meet again, I believe, on Wednesday. We’ll have more information at that time.”
Anthopoulos admits this is all virgin territory for him. He points out he can’t really offer advice to anyone because he’s never been to the post-season before, in any capacity, either with the Expos or the Jays. He suggests some players in the clubhouse and bench coach Demarlo Hale would have a better idea of what to expect for a playoff run that requires 11 wins on the way to a World Series ring.
“It’s not like I’ve got all the experience, so I’m not one to give any advice or any thoughts on that,” Anthopoulos said. “I’m just letting things evolve. We have guys in that clubhouse who have been to the post-season a lot more than I have and they know what to do, so there’s no script for it. I’m just reacting as it comes and hopefully I’ll have a few more opportunities.”
A few more opportunities for the post-season, he said, but in what city? Toronto? Recall, his contract expires at the end of October and, despite what was suggested in this space, Rogers ownership should have extended him the day after the Jays clinched the AL East. But it hasn’t happened. And according to Anthopoulos, it won’t happen before this journey through October has ended.
The 38-year-old former boy wonder, now all grown-up, seems blissfully unaware that south of the border he is considered one of the top free agents in baseball at season’s end, what with his expiring contract and a Toronto roster full of some of the game’s best players, all assembled through his guile.
If he is aware that he is in the driver’s seat for any negotiations with the Jays, he pretends not to care. He has no agent, no demands. He is 100 per cent focused on his Blue Jays reaching the World Series.
“I’ve tried to just kind of stay away from that (contract stuff ),” Anthopoulos said. “You guys know me. I never wanted my contractual circumstances to be out there to begin with. I never did and they got out last summer. But prior to that, I never felt it was important.
“At the same time, for me, I just don’t think it should be a story, a topic. These guys on the field are what we’re doing. We won the AL East for the first time in a long time, we’ve got guys vying for Cy Youngs and MVPs and home field. I just think (my contract is) irrelevant, to be honest with you.”
One would think if the Jays go ahead and achieve their October goals, that Anthopoulos will be showered with accolades and awards as executive of the year for taking a team that was 50-51 on July 28 and transforming it into a winner in a tough AL East that was still 31 combined games above .500 on Saturday. That success surely could be parlayed into a lifetime of financial security for his wife Cristina and his young family by playing a tough negotiating game using looming outside offers as leverage.
But, apparently, that’s not the way he’s wired.
“I just don’t look at things like that,” Anthopoulos said. “There are 30 jobs like this. We’re in sports because we like it, we like what we do. I love Toronto obviously and all that kind of stuff, I don’t think I’ve ever indicated anything to the opposite of that.
“I do this job because I enjoy it. I enjoy the competition, I enjoy trying to build something. It’s a lot more fun when you win. I enjoy who I work with. All those types of things. There are only so many of these jobs to go around, and those of us that are in them are certainly fortunate to be in them, and I’m grateful, as well. I really am.”
What about the financial security and setting up his family for life, even if it means moving to another country and earning millions of American dollars? What about the example of fellow Canadians who moved south of the border, like Wayne Gretzky, Lorne Greene, William Shatner? Anthopoulos is a successful Canadian in the sports and entertainment industry and seems to want to stay in his own country. What a concept.
“Why wouldn’t I? Why wouldn’t I?” Anthopoulos asked. “I’ve enjoyed every year I’ve been in Toronto. I love the city, I love everything about it. My house is paid off, I don’t lease my car anymore. I’m fine. Money has never motivated me in the slightest bit. I don’t think that’ll ever change.”
Jays fans are hoping perhaps David Price might feel the same way.