5 things we learned from Mark Shapiro's Blue Jays presser

The Mark Shapiro era in Toronto is officially underway.

Shapiro was introduced as the Blue Jays' new CEO and president of baseball operations on Monday, and the two-time Executive of the Year dished on everything from former general manager Alex Anthopoulos' departure to the club's policy of five-year caps on potential free-agent contracts.

In addition to his confirming that John Gibbons will return as manager, and naming Tony LaCava interim GM, here are five things we learned from Shapiro's introductory press conference:

AWKWARD FIRST IMPRESSION

Shapiro discussed the unique circumstances of his arrival in Toronto, which was made official just days after Anthopoulos rejected the club's five-year extension offer.

Not the transition I originally expected. Not the opening press conference that I had envisioned. In fact, I told (former president) Paul Beeston about a month ago, we were having breakfast, and I said, 'Paul, I think my first official duty should be to drive the float in the World Series parade you're on.' So, since that didn't happen ... I want to say at the outset, just to set the tone, I know you don't know me yet, I know that in time what you will learn about me is I will act with consistency, with character, with candor, with integrity. I know over time you will learn to trust what I say and when I speak, I speak with honesty.

NO 'SCOLDING' ANTHOPOULOS

Moments after news of Anthopoulos' exit broke last week, reports surfaced that the incoming president had "scolded" the team's former GM over the prospects traded away in this summer's blockbuster deals. Shapiro dismissed those rumors, but indicated there may be lingering effects from Anthopoulos' bold moves:

In every decision there's a balance. There's risk/reward, there's short-term and long-term. In this case clearly the short-term benefit of those trades is absolutely apparent and was tremendous. At the same point there are challenges that come with trading players and those challenges, I think, need to become part of a long-term strategy.

THE ROLE OF PRESIDENT/GM

Anthopoulos' sudden departure fueled speculation that a power struggle existed between the two executives, with final say over baseball decisions factoring in to the divorce. Shapiro said he doesn't believe Anthopoulos' autonomy would have changed under the new regime:

I've never really looked at decisions as final say. I've always looked at the process involved. I think if you have a sound process where you get the best information possible - whether it be makeup character-wise, medically, objectively, subjectively, whether it come from an intern, whether it come from a scout, or whether it come from the team president - you just want to arrive at the right decision and the best decision.

Asked specifically about the role of a GM as a decision-maker, Shapiro said this:

General managers don't make moves, they make recommendations. If GM's process is good, my job to approve the decision is easy.

5-YEAR POLICY NOT IN STONE

The Blue Jays' five-year contract policy has been met with criticism in recent years and cited as a potential factor in Toronto's inability to lure high-profile free agents. Shapiro, who is tasked with rebuilding a rotation that could have as many as three spots to fill, said he's open-minded about anything that will improve the club:

I don't believe in absolutes. In the right circumstance I could foresee a seven-year deal.

MOVING FORWARD

Anthopoulos' exit triggered swift backlash from Blue Jays fans, who were shocked that the architect who acquired David Price and Troy Tulowitzki was leaving after the team's incredible success. Shapiro said he had looked forward to learning from and partnering with Anthopoulos, and admitted the first step to mending fences with the fan base is to win:

The root of that reaction is precisely the reason why I want to be here. It's the passion of the fan base, it's the appreciation for the work that was done last year that brought back a championship-caliber team after so many years. So, I felt that was a natural reaction, not an unexpected one. ... I will work to earn their respect and trust over time and ultimately I understand that winning is the single most important thing and that we will have an organization unified behind doing that.