Toronto Blue Jays: Give credit where credit is due

It has been a Toronto Blue Jays offseason like no other in recent memory, the anticipation and speculation has run rampant amongst fans and industry professionals alike.

All the rumours culminated last week when Ross Atkins and company landed arguably the biggest free agent fish of the offseason in George Springer. The brain trust proved their ability to gauge the open market and patience pursuing it paid off.

I will admit, it often felt at time that Springer was using the Blue Jays as leverage just to increase his negotiating clout with the Mets especially after how the DJ LeMahieu dance ended. However, that was not the case at all with Springer as persistence and a dump truck load of money convinced the outfielder to spend the next six summers north of the border.

To his credit, Atkins must be the busiest General Manager in the majors this offseason. The Jays have seemingly been in talks with every free agent on the open market and have reportedly made offers to a handful of other players that have signed elsewhere.

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The Jays have also bulked up the bullpen with Kirby Yates and Tyler Chatwood who both could be valuable pieces if they can harness their past success. Yates was arguably the best reliever in baseball in 2019 and could take over the closers role if he can regain his form.

Atkins still has some work to with the starting rotation and that unfortunately may be the deciding factor on his final grade for this offseason efforts. Regardless of how it all plays out, Atkins should be given credit for his efforts and successes thus far.

The Springer signing is no small feat and the largest contract every dolled out by the team since their inception. So yes, Ross Atkins deserves his credit and has proved his worth that us fans should be patient and give him the benefit of the doubt for the remainder of the offseason.

I raise my glass to you, Ross. Keep grinding and finish this offseason strong.