Blue Jays to bring back Anthopoulos next season; increase payroll

Despite having missed the playoffs in each of his five seasons at the helm, Toronto Blue Jays president and CEO Paul Beeston confirmed that general manager Alex Anthopoulos will return next season. 

“Alex I can say for a fact is back,” Beeston told Sportsnet on Friday. 

The Blue Jays stretched their playoff drought to 21 seasons in 2014 - the longest active streak in the majors - following an injury-filled campaign that saw them stumble in the later months of the season and finish third in what was a down season for the American League East. 

Toronto did, however, finish with its second-highest win total since Anthopoulos took over for J.P. Ricciardi following the 2009 season, something Beeston noted when offering an explanation as to why the general manager would return. 

“I just know that he’s trying to build something sustainable,” Beeston said.

Beeston also spoke about the team increasing its payroll next season, exceeding the $135-$137-million mark. 

“You know it’s going higher next year,” Beeston said.

The Rogers Centre also appears to be getting an upgrade, as the Blue Jays plan to bring in a different style of turf for next season and hope to have a grass surface in time for the 2018 campaign.