The Toronto Blue Jays have Edward Rogers to thank after latest moves
PUBLICATION
Bobby Ohr
February 3, 2025 (4:56 PM)
Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Outlook
The Toronto Blue Jays fans have been very critical of chairman Edwards Rogers over the years but lately they should thankful for all he has done this off-season.
Blue Jays fans have Edward Rogers to thank for the team's off-season success
The Blue Jays have taken some massive swings at some of the best free agents available over the past two years with Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto and Corbin Burnes with offers touching $700 million.
MLB reporter Gregor Chisholm believes that the Blue Jays have Edward
Rogers to thank for all of this as he has given Atkins the green light to pursue these big names and offer big money for them.
The Blue Jays have been in the running for top free agent names, and fans have "one man to thank for this turn of events: Edward Rogers," according to columnist Gregor Chisholm of the TORONTO STAR. The Blue Jays and Rogers Communications chair "opening the vault" is the "only thing that gives the Jays fringe contender status for 2025." -Chisholm
While Rogers has been often criticized by fans for letting GM Alex Anthopoulos go and moves over the years, it is also thanks to him that the Blue Jays have been able to remain competitive in free agency throughout the years.
Chisholm wrote "offering praise to the notoriously private billionaire might seem strange," noting most are "used to blaming him for high cellphone bills and internet outages." He was "judged" by fans for the departure of former GM Alex Anthopoulos and "his handling of contract talks" with Raptors President Masai Ujiri. Yet Rogers has shown a "willingness to spend at a time when the Canadian dollar" has dipped below 70 cents American. Rogers was "booed the last time he appeared at the Rogers Centre" and he "isn't going to win any popularity contests," but from a sporting perspective, his approval rating "should be higher than it is" -Chisholm
When looking at all the missed superstars that the Blue Jays have made offers to but have failed, it is hard not to put the blame on Atkins since Rogers have given him everything he needs to close these deals but he is the one unable to sign them.
Hopefully Atkins is able to finally but that money to good use by landing Alex Bregman or Pete Alonso but as the off-season winds down, Atkins is running out of time.
Previously on Blue Jays Insider
POLL |
3 FEVRIER | 4000 ANSWERS The Toronto Blue Jays have Edward Rogers to thank after latest moves Do you think Edward Rogers has done a good job with the Blue Jays? |
Yes | 1780 | 44.5 % |
No | 2220 | 55.5 % |
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