The Blue Jays this morning officially announced Mark Shapiro has been hired as President & CEO, effective at the end of the '15 season. Shapiro replaces current President & CEO Paul Beeston, who is retiring at the end of the year. Shapiro, who had served as Indians President the last five years, will report directly to Rogers Media President Rick Brace (Blue Jays). CBSSPORTS.com's Jon Heyman cited sources as saying that Shapiro "intends to keep" Blue Jays Senior VP/Baseball Operations & GM Alex Anthopoulos, whose contract expires at the end of the season (CBSSPORTS.com, 8/30). FOXSPORTS.com's Ken Rosenthal reports the Indians "will not receive compensation" from the Blue Jays, as team ownership "did not want to impede Shapiro's decision if he desired to leave" (FOXSPORTS.com, 8/31). The AP's Tom Withers noted prior to becoming Indians President, Shapiro "spent nine years" ('01-10) as the team's GM. He was named MLB's "executive of the year" following the '05 and '07 seasons. The 48-year-old Shapiro has "overseen a major renovation at Progressive Field, which helped attract him to the Blue Jays, who have plans to revamp Rogers Centre" (AP, 8/30). In Boston, Nick Cafardo wrote hiring Shapiro is a "major coup for the Blue Jays," as he has "built a solid baseball operation in Cleveland." He would be leaving a team that many in baseball believe "could be a powerhouse as early as next season because of their pitching" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/30).
