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Pederson wanted to sign in Toronto but didn't because of another Atkins mistake
Photo credit: USA today
Diamondbacks Joc Pederson admitted in a recent interview that he wanted to sign in Toronto during the off-season but ultimately didn't because Atkins seemed to have lost interest.
Pederson said during his first conversation with management, the team seemed very interested in adding a left bat but once it came to making an offer, Atkins disappeared.
«They just I guess didn't want me as bad as some other teams and weren't able to really put together an offer when it was time for me to make a decision,» he said. «I was willing to, but I think I ended up in a great place and I'm enjoying it here. But I think Toronto's also a really good place.»
Seven months later, Pederson doesn't recall the exact details of those conversations with the Blue Jays. But he does remember being surprised that the Blue Jays didn't pursue him more intently.
«From the conversations we had on the phone and how interested they were in adding a left-handed bat, their actions didn't match their words, I guess you could say,» he recalled. «They said everything went really well and then didn't want to offer what other teams did. So they didn't make it that tough of a decision.»
Seven months later, Pederson doesn't recall the exact details of those conversations with the Blue Jays. But he does remember being surprised that the Blue Jays didn't pursue him more intently.
«From the conversations we had on the phone and how interested they were in adding a left-handed bat, their actions didn't match their words, I guess you could say,» he recalled. «They said everything went really well and then didn't want to offer what other teams did. So they didn't make it that tough of a decision.»
Despite the strange turn of events, Pederson had nothing but good things to say about the Blue Jays organization.
It is unfortunate Atkins spent so much time focusing on Shohei Ohtani last off-season as it seems he missed out on multiple signings due to this.
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JUILLET 14 | 527 ANSWERS Pederson wanted to sign in Toronto but didn't because of another Atkins mistake Should the Blue Jays fire Ross Atkins? | ||
| Yes | 512 | 97.2 % |
| No | 15 | 2.8 % |
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