Ross Atkins named Toronto Blue Jays’ new general manager

Of course, Atkins will retain some semblance of stability even in Toronto as he has also worked for Mark Shapiro his entire career, who is now the president of baseball operations for the Blue Jays.

According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Blue Jays will name former Indians vice president of personnel Ross Atkins as their new general manager.

Atkins will be introduced during a news conference Friday morning at Rogers Centre, where he’ll discuss his plans for the defending American League East champions.

Atkins was one of two finalists for the position. Atkins, following the resignation of Alex Anthopoulos, the previous GM, immediately became a favorite to replace him. He worked as the club’s director of Latin American operations for three years and ran the farm system from 2007-14. Shapiro has a longstanding professional relationship with Atkins and for that reason Atkins’ appointment as Blue Jays’ GM was expected following Anthopoulos’ surprising departure at the end of October.

I’m not really sure how this is going to work out for Toronto, but the fans were already disappointed with Shapiro for not doing all he could to retain Anthopoulos.

Ross Aktins, Toronto’s new general manager, greets Indians’ catcher Roberto Perez in spring training before the 2015 season. They did, however, acquire players like pitcher J.A. Happ.

Appointments in the next few weeks are in place, as the Blue Jays are in the process of rebuilding their front office. Set to relinquish his GM duties upon the arrival of Atkins, LaCava recently signed an extension with the Blue Jays and will remain within the team’s front office but presumably under a different title.