CLEVELAND — Indians President Mark Shapiro is leaving the club after this season to run Toronto’s front office.
Shapiro, who has had several prominent roles in his 24 seasons with Cleveland, will become the Blue Jays’ next president and CEO. He said he’s taking on a “unique opportunity” with mixed emotions.
Shapiro will replace Toronto CEO Paul Beeston, who is retiring. The AL East-leading Blue Jays, who have swung for the fences and beefed up their roster to make the playoffs, have been looking for a top executive for months and feel they’ve landed one of the best in Shapiro.
“Mark is a seasoned baseball veteran, whose leadership, drive for excellence, and commitment to all aspects of the game is impressive. We have confidence that he is the right person to lead the Toronto Blue Jays into the future and build upon the franchise’s legacy,” Blue Jays Chairman Edward Rogers said.
Shapiro has been with Cleveland since 1992, when he began as an assistant in baseball operations. He spent four years as the team’s minor league director and three as vice president before becoming general manager in 2001. The Indians made the playoffs twice with Shapiro calling the shots before he took over as team president in 2010.
Shapiro said the decision to leave Cleveland is difficult, and owner Paul Dolan said he will not look for a replacement.
“Given the person that Mark is, the significant leadership and values that he has brought to the organization and with everything he has helped us accomplish, it will be extremely difficult to see him leave,” Dolan said.
“However, I hope that this new challenge brings happiness and fulfillment for Mark and his family. As we move forward, I will not be seeking an external replacement for Mark and will continue to rely on the existing strong leadership group to guide us forward.
“Mark and I are confident that moving forward through this transition, we have a very strong foundation in place to build championship level success on and off the field.”
Shapiro and Dolan will further discuss the shake-up during a Monday news conference at Progressive Field.
The addition of Shapiro is another shrewd move by the Blue Jays, who have risen to the top of their division through trades and signings. Toronto is trying to end a postseason drought dating to 1993.
But the Blue Jays have big plans beyond this season, and the club intends to make major renovations to Rogers Centre, their downtown Toronto home. Shapiro oversaw major restorations and upgrades at Progressive Field, which has become more fan friendly the past few years but is still suffering from lagging attendance.
It’s not yet clear how Shapiro’s arrival will affect Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, who acquired MVP Josh Donaldson in the offseason, signed free agent catcher Russell Martin and traded for David Price and Troy Tulowitzki before the deadline to push the Blue Jays ahead in the standings. Toronto’s games are breaking TV viewing records and the Blue Jays have Canadians talking baseball for the first time in years.
Beeston believes Shapiro is just another piece to the puzzle.
“I have known Mark for many years. He is an exemplary executive and his passion for baseball and winning is remarkable,” Beeston said. “I am happy to pass him the baton — but not just yet; Alex, the team, and I have a little more work to do and we’re focused on putting more Ws in the win column.”
The Indians, meanwhile, have won five straight games to move back into the AL wild-card picture. Coincidentally, they open a series Monday in Toronto.
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