The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly hired Ross Atkins as their new general manager with hopes to make another run at the American League pennant, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Atkins, who has spent the past 20 years with the Cleveland Indians—most recently as the vice president of player personnel—was hired by his former boss, Mark Shapiro, who left Cleveland to become Toronto’s CEO in November.
Atkins has the lofty task of replacing former Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos, who was named baseball’s Executive of the Year by Sporting News just before turning down a multiyear extension after six seasons in Toronto because of what was a speculated rift with Shapiro.