A Day Later, What Do We Think of Beeston as Team President?

by Tom Dakers on Oct 28, 2009 1:39 PM EDT in Analysis Comment 15 comments

Quick note: I'm going to watch the game tonight and I'll open a game thread in case folks want to chat during the game. Join in if you like. Back to regularly scheduled post.

We have had a day to think about it, what do you think of Beeston keeping the job of Team President?

I guess my question is why did the 'search' for a new guy go on so long, if Beeston was going to keep the job at the end of it? When Beeston fired JP and hired Anthopoulos I figured they must have known who the new guy was going to be, because he would have had to sign off on the move. It wouldn't make any sense to hire Alex, have him start to make the changes he thought were necessary to the front office and then have a new team president come in, hire his own guy and change the changes. So the new guy must have been known.

So why not make the announcement at the same time? At the time I thought that it was possible that the new team president was still under contract somewhere else. Like say it was Pat Gillick and he couldn't take the job until after the World Series was over. Or someone in a similar spot. But that wasn't the case. So why not make the announcement then.

More after the Jump.

So after being interim president for 12 months, why did it take so long to make it permanent? I'm guessing they were chasing the 'great white whale', the guy they thought would be perfect for the job. They, apparently, wanted to hire Rick Welts, president of the Phoenix Suns, but he decided to stay on with Phoenix. Perhaps there was someone else or more than one someone else they thought would be perfect for the job but they couldn't get. Maybe they were hoping they could convince someone who had said no, or were waiting on someone to make a decision.

Anyway, I'm glad they made the announcement. True or not, without someone in the spot on a 'permanent' bases, the team looks like it doesn't have a direction. Is Beeston the right guy? Well, no one has more experience with the team than he does, as the famous 'first employee' of the Jays. He has worked for the team until 1997, when he took the job of president and Chief Operating Officer of Major League Baseball, which he held till 2002. And even during that time he had an office in Skydome. He was Jays team president from 1989 to 1996, the most successful time in team history. And he is well liked in the baseball community.

It is a bit funny that after a year of 'searching' he looked around and decided he was the best man for the job, "geeze, I've talked to all these people and I'm easily smarter than all of them." But clearly Rogers wanted him in the role. For whatever you think about him, Bud Selig wanted him to take the job. Alex Anthopoulos wanted him.

Some have complained 'he's too old' for the job. The same ones complaining Anthopoulos is too young I'd guess. I do wish he would stop coloring the hair, at 64 it looks silly to not have any gray but such is life. Some have said they aren't overwhelmed by his choice. I kind of wonder who they figured would get the job that would overwhelm them. It is team president, quick name 10 other MLB clubs team presidents. Generally it is a behind the scenes job. It is hard to 'overwhelm' when most of what you do isn't seen by the fans.

The good news:

Beeston said Rogers executives assured him the company will provide resources the team needs to win although that does not mean fans can expect an instant turnaround for a club that has not been to the playoffs since 1993.

"That doesn't mean necessarily just going and buying a World Series," Beeston said. "I don't want anyone to be confused with that because I think that you would agree you just can't go spend money and win.

" You' ve got to put the pieces together, even if you're the New York Yankees. They don't win without those years of scouting and development and signing those players that are an integral part of their team."

So they have the money, it doesn't mean they are going to spend it all in a hurry, which makes a lot of sense to me. If they don't feel they are one or two players away from the playoff, why spend a fortune on one or two guys.

Alex Anthopoulos thinks

Beeston's presence should help him in his effort to convince players to re-sign with the Blue Jays or join the team.

"There's a level of respect and a level of credibility he's going to have going forward," Anthopoulos said. "I think having Paul Beeston not only helps me, but helps everybody in the organization -- top to bottom. We've gotten a lot better as an organization today."

He is hands on, he had dinner with Roy Halladay last week in Florida. He likes to talk to people.

I have seen some people say that this means the team won't fire Cito Gaston. I don't think it means that. I think it means Cito can more easily be moved to a 'advisor to the president' role. Beeston has a history with Cito so they could work together. I don't know that that will happen but I think it would be best.

What Beeston really has to do now is to sell us on the team. Last year, I felt, that the team was almost actively trying to drive people away, in the off season. They didn't try to sell us on the young players, they didn't try to sell us on anything. The rallying cry seemed to be 'we won't compete this year'. This year, he and Anthopoulos have got to get out there and bang the drums. They have to tell us they have a plan. No not an idiot 5 year plan or something that sports writers can point to in the future to say 'they lied'. They have to show us that they are moving forward to try to win. Talk to the media.

Here comes the self-serving part, talk to us. Talk to the bloggers, we are the fans. We aren't the enemy. We want the team to do well. We aren't going to knock the team to sell papers or gain ratings. We are fans, we want to the team to do well, we have an interest in the team doing well. Talking directly to fan stops the media from spinning your message the End self-serving part.

Anyway, after all that, what do you think about having Paul Beeston staying as team president?

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Comments

having the franchise sit in idle in a directionless year was frustrating, but having said

that I am starting to enjoy the enthusiastic and extreme positive attitudes of both Beeston and AA. Jeff Blair just had a chat and said believe Beeston when he says the money is there, in fact he said Beeston told him that they can go up to 150 million! I think that won’t be until 2011 at the earliest if ever, but at least the committment is there, I’m warming up to this duo and I’m excited…

by ClintB on Oct 28, 2009 2:21 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I am very hopeful.

They have to get the fans excited, but things look better than they did last year.

by Tom Dakers on Oct 28, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jeff Blair's chat had some good nuggets btw, it's worth the read, it's posted at the

Globe site. Said the Jays will probably offer 2 years at market value, but if he wants three forget it, said that the Boston press says the Red Sox are very interested in Marco.

I asked about the draft, he said they’ll go over slot again regardless of last year’s draft results.

by ClintB on Oct 28, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

should have put that the offer is for scutaro for 2 years

by ClintB on Oct 28, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Beautiful. That’s exactly the kind of smart thinking I want to see. Two years plus an option and you’ll likely get value for every dollar you give Marco. Three or four years, you’re going to get hosed on those last few years.

by dexfarkin on Oct 28, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see no glaring problems myself from a fan standpoint. I see positives. We have a new GM and Pres. Both who have been in the organization and should have a head start there. I hear nothing but praise for AA, and Beeston would have been a Pres else where, so why the hell not here. Cant be any worse than JP can he (I hated JP from the first year)?

Im hopefull, still interested, but also understand that we are in another semi-rebuild process so hold onto your hats.

by Jesse Taylor on Oct 28, 2009 2:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Anyone else notice that Chone Figgins dropped to the Type B free agent? Not that it matters much since our pick was protected, Just saying though…

Life as a Toronto Sports Fan?... *sigh*... It is what it is...

by JohnnyG on Oct 28, 2009 2:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I think his terrrible post season might affect his value some, he looked awful.

I for one thought he’d be great for the Jays, but this was the only time I’ve really watched him for an extended period, and now I’d be scared to see the Jays overpay him. Bad time for an epic slump like that.

by ClintB on Oct 28, 2009 2:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Beest in the East

I like it overall. Mostly for two reasons;

1. Paul Beeston does have a good track record as President, and a very good reputation in the baseball world. At one time, he was touted as the next commissioner when Selig steps down. He had a very close relationship with Giamatti before his death. This is a guy who knows every franchise, ownership down, and is respected by them. That does have small, positive effects up and down an organization, and the Jays need every advantage they can get. It will help backstop AA, since any GM thinking he’s going to take advantage of a rookie GM is going to be looking at the seat behind him knowing that if he doesn’t offer a good deal, it’s not going to happen. Beeston is a long time member of this community and team, and even if he’s just average day to day as a President, the incidental elements will help bolster the club with the fans.

2. Rogers loves Beeston and trusts him implicitly. Since Ted Rogers death, I think a major reason for the timidness of the ownership is that they really didn’t know what direction to go in, did not have a strong leader backing the team in their boardroom, and didn’t have any solid leadership on the baseball side. Now that Beeston is there for three years, they can solidly back him because they trust him to have a plan and direction.

So, yes, I like this a fair bit. I don’t have the slightest clue how Beeston will perform in his role, but looking at it objectively, there’s a lot of positives that come with it that can only help the ball club.

by dexfarkin on Oct 28, 2009 3:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

a disinct possibility you neglect to mention: someone backed out at the last second

maybe they did have someone who agreed in principle, and backed out due to personal, family, medical or other reasons? they may have signed off on AA in say september, but could no longer accept the position, “forcing” beeston into the role to avoid a major catastrophe.

just a thought…

by Andy Mc on Oct 28, 2009 3:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I never thought of that....

it is possible.

by Tom Dakers on Oct 28, 2009 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Beeston made it obvious on a number of occasions

that he didn’t really want the job.

To me that is enough right there to say this is a lousy move. Having somebody doing a job who doesn’t want to be there is what makes going to McDonald’s such a frustrating experience. It works even less well when we’re talking about jobs like this that are 24/7. You need people who are crazy about the work they do.

Apparently, though, nobody else (that Beest/Rogers thought they could sell) wanted the job either, so here we are. Beeston says “ok well fine, I’ll take it for a few years and hopefully we won’t be in such a shambles by then, and someone else will be willing to come in.” This must send just a spectacular message to everyone associated with the organization.

This leaves us with the exact same team (minus JP) that brought us all the awesomeness that was 2009—now definitely including Cito, because he certainly won’t be fired or forced into anything on Beest’s watch.

I like this less and less the more I think about all the implications. I don’t see how anyone can feel different, other than the losers who think JP was 100% the source of all the problems, because other than that it’s the status quo.

I really wanted the team to do something over the winter to show me that it was worth supporting. So far I still haven’t seen it. Not saying it won’t happen since the supposed “grand plan” hasn’t been revealed yet, but I get less confident by the day.

by voodoomusic on Oct 28, 2009 4:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

well I don't know why you'd think Cito can't be fired now.

nor why the jays won’t do things this summer. Or really why you think he didn’t want the job. Have you never seen someone say they didn’t want something when they really did? Beeston was going to stay with the team no matter who was president. Looks more to me like he decided he wanted to make decisions instead of advise and that decided folks were right and he was the best choice. He does have a good relationship with ownership which means the team could get more money. And suggesting that it would upset people in the organization really is a stretch, I’ve not yet heard anyone say they don’t like Beeston or that he is less than qualified.

I really don’t have a problem with the choice unless you know of someone that a) would do the job and b) would be better than Beeston.

by Tom Dakers on Oct 28, 2009 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

just to add to what Tom said, Mel Queen said that after AA talked to the scouting staff

and baseball ops personel it’s the most excited and enthusiastic he’s seen everyone in a long time

by ClintB on Oct 28, 2009 4:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Beest told McCowan that on the day JP was let go he (Beeston) was certain he would NOT be back.

He said it was only in the last few weeks that he softened on that and that Alex had a lot to do with it (although I’m guessing Viner probably gave him a blank check on payroll and other spending too)

I think given the oft-repeated assurances that Rogers would spend whatever IF Besston stayed, that this can only be viewed as good news (if of course you believe Alex knows how to spend it)

Grif thinks Gaston will still go which, as much as I normally don’t like Griff, I’m clinging to…although my initial reaction was to worry that Beeston’s staying meant we were stuck with more Cito.

On the whole, though, I’m good with it – I expect positive returns over the next three years.

by WillRain1 on Oct 29, 2009 12:12 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs