Blue Jays Alex Anthopoulos speaks on Price, Estrada, contract

Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos joined the Jeff Blair Show this morning with Blair and Stephen Brunt to discuss everything from David Price’s contract to his own. With the Blue Jays heading back to Kansas City for s sixth game and potential seventh, there’s still no stopping eyes from shifting towards the 2016 picture.

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Yahoo’s Jeff Passan, who I’m growing confident does not own a Blue Jays jersey, wrote this article in the wake of Toronto’s game five win where he suggests that David Price has been put in a “difficult position” by his “misuse”.

“For now, all he offers are clipped retorts, far from the general ebullience that is perhaps his most recognizable trait. Price sounds confused. He has every right to be that, and angry, too, at how the Blue Jays have turned their best pitcher into a dancing marionette.”

Bizarre is too gentle a word for the article, and it goes against everything that Price has said to the media throughout the playoffs and leading into them. He’d surely prefer a bit more certainty, but like a skipping record, he’s repeated that he is happy to fill any role, any time. Anthopoulos, when asked if there’s been any indication that Price is unhappy, quickly responded “No, not at all.” In fact, he says that Price has been involved in all conversations regarding his use, and wants to pitch every day.

Looking ahead to Price and Marco Estrada becoming free agents, Anthopoulos believes a strong returning offense and defense will allow him to focus heavily on the rotation. Interestingly, he noted that he prefers to enter the season with eight starters capable of making multiple starts, and 11 capable of making at least one. Anthopoulos added that Estrada has expressed interest in returning to the Jays.

The question remains, however, of whether or not it will be Anthopoulos making those decisions. His contract, which expires at the end of the month, has yet to be extended and the incoming president Mark Shapiro has yet to become involved. Blair mentioned that, when the Jays began to court Shapiro, the Jays were still out of a playoff spot.

It remains very likely that Anthopoulos does return, though, and it would not shock me if the Jays eventually announce that a contract was agreed to late in the season. He revealed to Blair and Brunt that he’s taken part in free agent meetings with the Blue Jays, even discussing trade strategies as they move towards 2016 and beyond.

Anthopoulos has quickly become a sports hero in Toronto, which is a rare feat in this market. Marco Estrada has done the same while David Price still has an opportunity to do so, but we’re still left hoping for at least two of them to return.

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