Toronto Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro introduced new general manager Ross Atkins on Friday.
A longtime Cleveland Indians executive, Atkins was named Toronto's GM and executive vice-president of baseball operations on Thursday.
Atkins most recently served as the Indians' vice-president of player personnel under Shapiro.
Shapiro, a former general manager with Cleveland, became Toronto's new president last month. He succeeded Paul Beeston, who retired at the end of October.
Atkins, a 42-year-old native of Greensboro, N.C., is the seventh general manager in franchise history. The former pitcher was drafted by Cleveland in 1995 and spent his entire pro career with the Indians organization.
"I couldn't be more excited to be in this city and to be representing a country, " Atkins said. "I will take that responsibility very seriously."
In introducing Atkins, Shapiro said "I had two right choices [between Atkins and Tony LaCava] and no bad choices. I split hairs and decided that Ross would build a sustainable championship organization."
Atkins also said that he was "overwhelmed by the leadership and character" of LaCava, who had been serving as interim GM after the departure of Alex Anthopoulos and was promoted to senior vice-president of baseball operations when Atkins was hired.
Atkins concluded his opening remarks by saying:"I love this city and I've been blown away by the humility and civility of Toronto. I can't wait for my children and wife to be here and live in this community."
After a five-season playing career in the minor leagues, Atkins started working with the team's pitching prospects before becoming the assistant farm director in 2001. He worked as the club's director of Latin American operations for three years and ran the farm system from 2007-'14.
The 81-80 Indians finished third in the American League Central last season while the 93-69 Blue Jays won the East and made their first playoff appearance in 22 years. Toronto advanced to the American League Championship Series before falling to the Kansas City Royals in six games.
A few days after Toronto was eliminated, Anthopoulos stunned many baseball observers by declining to sign a new contract to remain as GM. He was named executive of the year on the day he announced his decision.
Anthopoulos turned down a five-year extension amid reports of a difference in vision with the new president. The 38-year-old Montreal native would only say he didn't feel like it would be the right fit, adding it was his choice to leave.
Anthopoulos became very popular in Toronto after making several big moves at the trade deadline last summer. The Blue Jays responded with a strong second half to end their long post-season drought.
Atkins will have a solid nucleus in place next season. Most key position players will be back and the team boasts arguably the most feared offence in the major leagues.
However, the pitching staff has a few holes. Ace David Price was lost to free agency, with the Boston Red Sox expected to announce his signing Friday. Another key member of the starting rotation, left-hander Mark Buehrle, is expected to retire or play closer to home.
The Blue Jays recently signed left-hander J.A. Happ to a three-year contract and re-signed Marco Estrada to a two-year deal.
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