Blue Jays Roundup: Mark Shapiro, George Springer, Bo Bichette, Shane Bieber, Alek Manoah
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Here is this weeks roundup on what's been going on with Toronto Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro, George Springer, Bo Bichette, John Schneider, Shane Bieber and Alek Manoah
Mark Shapiro is in the midst of his tenth season as the Blue Jays' president and CEO, and his current five-year contract is up after the conclusion of the 2025 campaign.
Speaking with The Athletic's Mitch Bannon and other reporters earlier this week, Shapiro didn't give any updates on any extension talks, or if any negotiations were even ongoing.
However, Shapiro firmly stated «I want to remain here, and I can also say that both Edward and Tony have been reciprocal in that desire,» referring to Rogers Communications chairman Edward Rogers and CEO Tony Staffieri.
While Shapiro and GM Ross Atkins have received plenty of criticism over their decade in charge of the franchise, the fan angst that reached a peak after the Jays' dismal 2024 season has now been quieted by Toronto's huge turn-around in 2025.
The same could be said of John Schneider since the manager is in the final guaranteed year of his contract, and while Shapiro deferred comment on any extension talks, he did praise Schneider's work over his three-plus years leading the dugout.
Contract talks with Bo Bichette will likely be in the offseason
Likewise, Shapiro didn't go into detail over any plans to retain impending free agent Bo Bichette, other than to say «I'm confident that, at the right time, we'll make an effort.»
This likely means the Blue Jays will wait until after the season, as Shapiro didn't want to draw any focus away from Bichette's on-field efforts.
After an injury-marred down year in 2024, Bichette has looked much more like his old self, hitting .294/.336/.463 with 16 homers over 538 plate appearances (for a 122 wRC+).
However, with that kind of success comes a lot more money, as Bichette's new contract is projected to be at $200 million plus.
George Springer will more than likely be back for the series against the Texas Rangers
Speaking of returns to form, George Springer's resurgence has been one of the keys to the Jays' season, and the veteran looks to be close to an activation off the concussion-related injured list.
Springer hasn't played since he was hit in the head by a pitch on July 28, but he has now cleared concussion protocols and returned to action in a minor league rehab game today.
Springer was 1-for-2 with a walk and a double for Triple-A Buffalo, acting as the Bisons' designated hitter.
Postgame, Springer told reporters (including Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News) that he isn't sure if he'll remain for another rehab game on Friday, perhaps to play the outfield as the final step in the recovery process.
Alek Manoah won't be rushed back to Toronto as his timeline is more about getting healthy for 2026
Things didn't go as smoothly for Alek Manoah in his first Triple-A rehab game on Wednesday, as the starter allowed three runs on three hits and two walks over 1 2/3 innings and 49 pitches.
The plan was for Manoah to toss 70-75 pitches over as many as five innings, except the outing had to be cut short due to the righty's struggles.
It has been almost three years since Manoah was a viable force in the Blue Jays' rotation, as he struggled badly in 2023 and his hopes at a bounce-back year were halted by a Tommy John surgery in June 2024.
Over four rehab starts at four different minor league levels, Manoah has an 11.57 ERA and more walks (eight) than strikeouts (six) in seven total innings.
A return to the rotation might not be necessary since deadline trade acquisition Shane Bieber is first in line as the proverbial sixth starter, but even bringing Manoah back as a reliever is a risk if he can't harness his pitches.
Bieber gets the start today in Buffalo, it may be his last Triple-A rehab start as he is set to Join the Blue Jays very soon.
Previously on Blue Jays Central
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