Mark Shapiro, the Indians' team president, will be named Toronto Blue Jays president, sources close to that team said.The announcement is expected to come as early as this week, perhaps Monday.Shapiro will replace Paul Beeston, the longtime Jays president who is retiring. Beeston is expected to remain through the year in Toronto, and Shapiro may not start in Toronto until next season, though the exact starting date isn't known.Shapiro couldn't be reached for comment Sunday night.
Shapiro, who served as GM, farm director and assistant farm director in Cleveland before becoming the team's president this decade, intends to keep Alex Anthopoulos as general manager, according to sources. That should come as no surprise, as the Blue Jays stand in first place in the tough AL East following a historic trade deadline of mega trades, notably the acquisitions of superstars Troy Tulowitzki and David Price.Anthopoulos' contract expires after this season, and he would likely be coveted as an executive free agent if he were to become free, but he is believed to prefer to remain in Toronto if he can.Shapiro, 48, is a two-time MLB Executive of the Year, as chosen by the Sporting News.The Jays have the longest current playoff drought in baseball, having failed to make the postseason since their back-to-back World Series titles in 1992-93, but are poised to make their presence felt after a hot streak that has them 18 games over .500, at 74-56, for the first time in years following their stunning deadline performance. Last month, they rocked the baseball world when they acquired six major leaguers, including Tulowitzki, a franchise shortstop, and Price, an ace left-hander.The Blue Jays pursued Orioles GM Dan Duquette for the president's job last winter, but Orioles owner Peter Angelos declined to allow Duquette to interview. Toronto talked to Dave Dombrowski in the time between his release from the Tigers and his hiring by the Red Sox as their president of baseball operations.Shapiro, who oversaw renovations at Cleveland's Progressive Field, has served as that team's president since 2010. The Indians have outperformed their low payroll (they rank in the bottom third at $80 million) at times, and made the playoffs in 2013, their first year with manager Terry Francona, who won two World Series titles in Boston, at the helm, but the Indians have found a return to the World Series elusive since appearances in 1995 and '97.The Jays, whose $130 million payroll is more than 50 percent higher than Cleveland's, provide a greater chance to win it all. And that could actually come quickly for them, as the Jays are 21-5 in August following their amazing deadline deals and look like a major threat to win it all this year.It was reported on Aug. 21 by FOXSports.com that Shapiro was a "strong" candidate for the Jays presidency, and reported by CBSSports.com last Friday that Shapiro was expected to get the job.Jon Heyman/ CBS Sports
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