Toronto Blue Jays Morning Brew: Payroll, Promotions, Expos

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie throws the ball to first base during the first inning against Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Toronto Blue Jays News and Rumours

On Tuesday, Rogers and the NHL announced a new broadcast and media rights agreement worth $5.2 billion over the next 12 years. Wait, how is this Blue Jays related you may ask? A ripple effect was created, which led some fans to speculate that the monstrosity of the deal could have a negative effect on the baseball team’s payroll. Keith Pelly, who is president of Rogers’ media division, spoke with Jeff Blair on The Fan 590 (audio) and basically said the new deal will not affect the “Blue Jays payroll in any way whatsoever” and that as team owners remain committed to “everything Blue Jays”. For those that can’t listen to the audio, here’s a few highlights from the conversation transcribed courtesy of Jeff Simmons at Sportsnet.

The deal was a major loss for Canada’s other major sports network, the Bell Canada-owned TSN, who is expected to be scrambling for content to make up for the loss. Andrew Stoeten at DJF angles that this could be a great opportunity for TSN and their sister French station RDS to resurrect the still beloved Montreal Expos.

Part of the 2014 Blue Jays promotional schedule was announced yesterday. Minor Leaguer goes over the highlights at Bluebird Banter, which include a bucket hat and visor giveaway on the same weekend! He says the Jays could learn something from the much more creative San Francisco Giants. Player bobbleheads will be announced “at a later date” according to the press release.

Ben Nicholson-Smith at Sportsnet says that the MLB off-season should start heating up soon after what’s been a very slow start for many teams. With a resolution to the MLB/NPB posting agreement seemingly on the horizon plus the non-tender deadline on Monday teams will have a “clearer sense of where the market is headed” according to Nicholson-Smith.

After big money was given to relievers Javier Lopez (3/$13M) and Joe Smith (3/$15.75) Shi Davidi at Sportsnet wonders if there could be a trade market for the Blue Jays plethora of relievers.

Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie has been nominated for the 2013 Tip O’Neill Award, which according to Gregor Chisholm at BlueJays.com is “handed out every year to the Canadian player judged to have excelled in individual achievement and team contribution while adhering to baseball’s highest ideals.” Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto has won the award each of the past three seasons.