https://www.thestar.com/sports/bluejays/opinion/2019/08/08/jays-boss-mark-shapiro-shows-numbers-dont-lie-if-you-pick-them-carefully-enough.html
On paper, the Jays have more payroll flexibility than any team in the league but there’s no guarantee that Rogers intends to spend that money. Shapiro was pressed multiple times to provide specifics on how much the team is willing to spend this winter and the answer wasn’t inspiring.
“The only directive from ownership is to run a business that doesn’t lose money, which means obviously payroll’s going to reflect revenue and revenues are down because attendance is down,” Shapiro said. “Part of the plan from day one, and part of the understanding, has been that there will be a time that we need to outspend, outpace revenue with spending on players.”
Hmm, where have we heard that before? Oh right, the language might be different, but the messaging is the same as what used to be preached by former president Paul Beeston. The support from ownership is there, he claimed. When the team starts winning, and fans start showing up, Rogers will respond by committing money to ensure sustained success.