Ross Atkins GM

[baubau]

Figure this deserves its own thread.

 

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/blue-jays-hire-ross-atkins-gm-indians.html

 

The Blue Jays will hire Indians vice president of player personnel Ross Atkins as their new general manager, reports Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter), citing a “well-placed source.” The connection between Atkins and the Blue Jays has been made in the past and is a logical one, as Toronto president/CEO Mark Shapiro was recently hired away from the Indians, where he served as GM from 2001-10 and president from 2010-15. Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun reported recently that Atkins was curiously absent from the Indians’ organizational meetings, leading him to speculate that it could be due to the likelihood of him leaving to become the next Jays GM.

 

The hire means that longtime Blue Jays assistant GM Tony LaCava, who has been operating as the club’s interim general manager, will relinquish his GM duties and, presumably, return to his old role. The Blue Jays recently inked LaCava to a contract extension that would keep him in the organization regardless of whether or not he was named the club’s permanent general manager.

 

http://www.sportsnet.ca/baseball/mlb/blue-jays-name-ross-atkins-as-teams-new-general-manager/

 

SHI DAVIDI DECEMBER 3, 2015, 4:30 PM

TORONTO – The Toronto Blue Jays have named longtime Cleveland Indians executive Ross Atkins the fifth general manager in team history, choosing him over finalist Tony LaCava to succeed Alex Anthopoulos under new president and CEO Mark Shapiro, according to industry sources.

 

LaCava, a member of Toronto’s front office since October 2002, will remain with the team as an integral part of the club’s decision-making process. He received a contract extension during the GM meetings last month. Anthopoulos declined an extension in October, citing concerns over the “fit” with Shapiro.

 

An official announcement could come Friday.

 

Atkins, who has a long resume in player development, will be tasked with helping the Blue Jays repeat as American League East champions, and faces numerous short- and long-term challenges. For 2016, he needs to fortify the bullpen and address the team’s bench, while the fates of walk-year stars like Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion will also need to be high on his agenda.

 

The 42-year-old from Greensboro, N.C., had been expected to join the Blue Jays in some capacity under Shapiro, as the two became close in Cleveland. Atkins served as vice-president of player personnel in 2015, tasked with ensuring “that the values, visions and philosophies communicated across all minor-league affiliates and the club’s Latin American operations align with those set forth by the Cleveland Indians organization,” according to the team’s media guide.

 

He also co-ordinated collaboration between the team’s player-development and scouting staff.

 

A right-handed pitcher who spent five seasons in the Indians system before topping out at double-A, Atkins worked in the club’s player development department as a director from 2007-10 and vice-president from 2011-14.

 

Players developed under his watch include Cody Allen, Lonnie Chisenhall, Kyle Crockett, Tyler Holt, T.J. House, Jason Kipnis, Roberto Perez, Jose Ramirez and Danny Salazar.

 

Atkins ran Cleveland’s Latin American operations department from 2004-06, and worked under John Farrell, the former Blue Jays manager, from 2001-03 as the assistant director of player development.

 

Pat Gillick, Gord Ash and J.P. Ricciardi preceded Anthopoulos as Blue Jays general managers.

[reedjohnsonfan]

Cool, that's good to have a guy for the meetings. Hopefully they add a pitcher.

[King]

Joel Sherman ‏@Joelsherman1 27s28 seconds ago

Can confirm @susanslusser #bluejays are hiring #Indians exec Ross Atkins as GM

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Reply

 

 

 

 

[Laika]

Who's got a scouting report on Atkins???

 

Drafting/Developing: 20-80

Trades: 20-80

Roster Management: 20-80

Negotiations and Salary Management: 20-80

Public Relations: 20-80

Hair: 20-80

Arm Strength: 20-80

[burlingtonbandit]

Hopefully he is a good negotiator.

[Cyborg]

Hair 80

[Dr. Dinger]

Whaaaaaat?! Shapiro brought in a lackey to be his GM puppet rather than giving LaCava the job!? I'm STUNNED!

[BTS]

Hair 80

 

Lies. He has, at best, 50 grade hair. Possible 40.

[Laika]

Hair 80

 

I dunno, I saw something almost ski-jumpish on Google images.

[King]

Joel Sherman ‏@Joelsherman1 1m1 minute ago

Hearing that #Bluejays Asst GM Tony LaCava, who was runner for Tor GM spot, is staying as senior VP/Asst GM

[burlingtonbandit]

Joel Sherman ‏@Joelsherman1 1m1 minute ago

Hearing that #Bluejays Asst GM Tony LaCava, who was runner for Tor GM spot, is staying as senior VP/Asst GM

 

lol well he just signed a contract extension so this was obvious.

[HERPDERP]

A media guy has to have the balls to ask Atkins if he would've done the two deals we have under LaCava/Shapiro (Chavez/Happ)

[King]

lol well he just signed a contract extension so this was obvious.

 

Brendan Kennedy ‏@BKennedyStar 58s58 seconds ago

Earlier this offseason Shapiro signed Tony LaCava to an extension regardless of his role, so he'll stick around: http://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/2015/11/10/blue-jays-interim-gm-tony-lacava-signs-extension-report.html …

[G-Snarls]

Alright

 

So we're the Canadian Indians now?

[GreekFatAss]

An analytics guy who rose through the ranks in player development. Whats not to like?

[baubau]

A media guy has to have the balls to ask Atkins if he would've done the two deals we have under LaCava/Shapiro (Chavez/Happ)

 

Why?

[Cyborg]

http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr73/tonylastoria/2010%20Minor%20Leagues/atkins.jpg

[Laika]

The shoes are a nice touch. Style is a solid 55, maybe a 60. A lot better than frumpy 40 grade AA.

 

[BTS]

http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/rr73/tonylastoria/2010%20Minor%20Leagues/atkins.jpg

 

That is not 80-grade hair.

[baubau]

That is not 80-grade hair.

 

http://image.cleveland.com/home/cleve-media/width620/img/tribe_impact/photo/19299973-mmmain.jpg

 

Kinda see bald spots forming, clearly past his prime. Jays are investing late in this, clearly.

[Boxcar]

The shoes are a nice touch. Style is a solid 55, maybe a 60. A lot better than frumpy 40 grade AA.

 

 

He kinda looks like Stephen Rannazzisi in that pic.

[Captain Adama]

http://image.cleveland.com/home/cleve-media/width620/img/tribe_impact/photo/19299973-mmmain.jpg

 

Kinda see bald spots forming, clearly past his prime. Jays are investing late in this, clearly.

 

The real test for him is to walk thru the tunnel towards the field during Spring Training and we can record his waddle.

[Boxcar]

Cyborg getting in on some early ass kissing. No big deal guys.

[JuniorFelix]

The shoes are a nice touch. Style is a solid 55, maybe a 60. A lot better than frumpy 40 grade AA.

 

 

Agreed, the shoes are nice, but am i seeing bootcut jeans?!?!? Def not cool...i'd give him a 50. He's young enough to know better.

[BTS]

Who is the most handsome GM in the league?

 

Probably Jed Hoyer.

[Captain Adama]

Who is the most handsome GM in the league?

 

Billy Beane, he was dreamy in moneyball.

[Laika]

Who is the most handsome GM in the league?

 

Candidates might be: Preller, Dipoto, Hoyer

[GD]

Whaaaaaat?! Shapiro brought in a lackey to be his GM puppet rather than giving LaCava the job!? I'm STUNNED!

 

Well now we bring in an extra head and Tony gets out of the spotlight

[HERPDERP]

How the f*** can you guys be ignoring Epstein?

 

http://www.theheckler.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/2011-09-22-theoepstein.jpg

[BTS]

How the f*** can you guys be ignoring Epstein?

 

http://www.theheckler.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/2011-09-22-theoepstein.jpg

 

Not a GM.