The stage sat near second base with three video screens behind and two in front.
It was a different than most years when the Blue Jays brass gathered to talk bravely about the upcoming season. They used to sit atop the third-base dugout.
It was also different in that they had something to brag about.
If you were hoping for Josh Donaldson to emerge from the blue spotlights pointing heavenly — like a dramatic Roger Neilson return behind the Maple Leafs bench moment — to sign a new deal ... no chance.
Neither Jose Bautista nor Edwin Encarnacion emerged from the shadows to put their names on a contract extension.