Jays president Mark Shapiro speaks, first time since spring

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For the first time since spring training, Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro held a media gathering and he didn’t hold back when fielding questions by the assembled media throng.

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At times feisty, at times testy, at times illuminating, at times delusional and circumspect. It was a mixed bag of coming clean when Shapiro acknowledged the team’s bullpen as the primary culprit why the season has gone off the rails.

When it came to the bigger picture issues involving Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette and embattled GM Ross Atkins, fans of the club were left wanting.

Shapiro’s history in the game is one where he does not comment in-season when discussing the status of a player or executive.

“Contextually, I’m a huge believer in stability and continuity and those are competitive advantages in pro sports. Reacting and change don’t necessarily mean improvement,” he said when asked about Atkins.

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In terms of Vlad Jr. and Bichette — who remains on the injured list with an ailing groin — Shapiro was pretty direct, so to speak.

“I’m not going to comment on those guys specifically other than to say it’s easier to build a sustainable and winning team with guys like that,” he said.

Both players are eligible for free agency following the 2025 season.

Fans have grown frustrated when Atkins talks, even when he isn’t saying anything of substance, have grown tired of watching a franchise run by the current regime that has not won a single playoff game and are generally irate at the state of affairs.

If Shapiro sounded pissed off, which he was Wednesday, imagine the degree of annoyance fans have been forced to endure.

There is a world where one of Guerrero and Bichette — the faces of the franchise — and perhaps even both, will not be with the team as early as this off-season.

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Both are acutely aware of the business side of baseball and figure to be motivated by securing the biggest pay day, which does not make either any different than every other pro athlete.

People looking for answers from Shapiro will be deeply disappointed.

He wants to win and is committed to winning, as is ownership, but it remains to be seen if all of the many pieces that must be assembled will change the fortunes of the team and the perception among fans.

Hopes were high with the franchise and have been for a few years, but it all came crashing down this season, capped off by the eight trades the Blue Jays engineered in the days and hours leading up to last Tuesday’s trade deadline.

“In the nine seasons I’ve been through, this is the biggest disconnect between expectations and the biggest disappointment,’’ said Shapiro, a sentiment echoed by fans.

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“We need to learn and we need to get better from that.”

Enough painful lessons, by this point, have been learned.

How the Blue Jays get better takes on many different layers — some within their control, others outside of it.

While the process of developing positional players has gone well, the Jays have failed when it comes to pitching — a fact Shapiro willingly conceded.

Losing will have an impact on the bottom line, acknowledged Shapiro, but that seems pretty obvious.

The renovations at Rogers Centre have been roundly applauded and appreciated, but the bloom is off the rose amid the losing.

Still, Rogers ownership has not been shy in providing a competitive payroll, an area Shapiro does not envision experiencing any “large scale pullback.”

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Granted, the overpaid players have been underwhelming this season, but the same could be said about the entire organization.

The expectation for the Blue Jays was to be playing meaningful games in September and into October.

Instead, their season became inconsequential by late July, perhaps even sooner when an anemic offence led to the losing. And when the lineup did produce, pitching under-performed.

To make matters worse, no quick fixes appear to be in store.

Certainly, one of the most significant off-seasons this management group has faced is on the horizon.

Fans want assurances and when asked of the importance to placate the team’s supporters, it seemed like Shapiro got his back up when the question of initiating an early off-season move was posed.

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“It’s important to get better and win,” he said.

Before a quick follow-up question could be asked, Shapiro repeated the “it’s important to get better and win” position.

One is left to ask why an availability was even scheduled when actions, after all, speak much louder than words.

Diehard fans aren’t fixated on what is said, but rather keenly interested on what gets done knowing so much must occur before talk of competing for a championship can even be mentioned.

Much like Atkins, Shapiro praised the team’s coaching staff and, when asked specifically about manager John Schneider, Shapiro deferred to the GM.

Those looking for positives might be heartened to learn Shapiro spoke glowingly on how the coaching staff and players have held strong — no back-stabbing, no finger-pointing, one and all committed to finding solutions — which is all and good perhaps.

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The issue facing the Blue Jays involves the roster and how to make it better. Much like Atkins, Shapiro acknowledged the collective did not work, which led to the team making trades.

Prospects were acquired to bolster a questionable farm system while starting pitching with team control wasn’t shipped away. The Jays showed their hand by through their actions that they have no business in wanting to rebuild.

“There’s a lot of work still to be done before making any definitive statements for 2025,” Shapiro added. “That intent is pretty clear.”

It’s unknown if Atkins will be back in his current role, whether Schneider will be back or whether even Guerrero and Bichette will be under contract beyond 2025.

Heck, even Shapiro’s time will soon be up.

People have been pining for Shapiro to speak, even complaining during this prolonged period of silence.

He finally spoke and yet so much remains unknown.

Welcome to the harsh reality that is the Blue Jays.

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