TORONTO — Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro Hopes to Stay as Contract Nears Expiry Amid Team’s Resurgence
Toronto Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro is entering the final stretch of his contract with the franchise, but the veteran executive made it clear this week that he hopes to remain at the helm beyond 2025. While declining to provide specifics on ongoing negotiations, Shapiro said both he and team ownership share the same vision — one that keeps him firmly planted in Canada’s lone Major League Baseball market.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Tuesday night’s game against the Chicago Cubs at Rogers Centre, Shapiro acknowledged the uncertainty that comes with an expiring deal but downplayed any notion that he’s eyeing opportunities elsewhere.
“When I think about alternatives, I’ve never been a grass-is-greener guy,” said the 58-year-old. “I spent 24 years in one place in Cleveland and now 10 years here. It’s the appreciation for what I have — the people I work with every day, the city I work in, and the country I live in — those things drive me to want to stay.”
Shapiro, who joined the Blue Jays in 2015 and signed a five-year extension in January 2021, said gratitude remains his primary motivator. “I feel grateful every single day I get to pull into Rogers Centre or the complex in Dunedin. I get to work in this role with people I respect and care about deeply. There’s always the understanding that it comes to an end at some point, but right now, gratitude is what I focus on.”
While Shapiro wouldn’t disclose details about contract discussions with Rogers Communications — the Blue Jays’ ownership group — he confirmed there have been talks. “Sure, yeah. It’s not appropriate for me to comment beyond saying that I want to remain here. And I can say that both Edward Rogers [executive chair] and Tony Staffieri [president and CEO] have been reciprocal in that desire.”
From Worst to Contenders
The 2025 season has been a dramatic turnaround for the Blue Jays, who finished last in the American League East just a year ago. This year, Toronto has been one of baseball’s most consistent teams, putting itself in a strong position to secure a first-round bye in the playoffs by finishing in the top two of the AL standings.
It’s been a welcome change for a fan base that has seen flashes of success in the Shapiro era but no deep playoff runs. The club reached the AL Championship Series in 2016, Shapiro’s first full season alongside general manager Ross Atkins. Since then, Toronto has made three wild-card round appearances (2020, 2022, 2023), but each ended in a sweep.
Shapiro believes this year’s squad can break through those barriers. “I think we’re capable of winning the last game played,” he said. “That’s ultimately the goal.”
A Decade of Leadership
In his dual role as president and CEO, Shapiro oversees both the baseball operations and business sides of the franchise — a responsibility that has put him at the center of some of the organization’s most significant projects over the past decade.
One of his major achievements has been spearheading renovations to the Blue Jays’ player development complex in Dunedin, Florida, transforming it into a state-of-the-art facility for training and rehabilitation. More recently, Shapiro oversaw a multi-phase renovation of Rogers Centre, aimed at enhancing the fan experience and modernizing the stadium.
The scope of his work hasn’t been limited to facilities. Shapiro’s tenure has also been marked by efforts to build a sustainable, competitive roster through a blend of homegrown talent and key free-agent signings. While results have varied from year to year, the foundation laid during his decade in charge is visible in the team’s current success.
Stability and Commitment
Shapiro’s comments suggest that both he and ownership value continuity at the top of the organization. His track record — spending more than two decades with the Cleveland franchise before joining Toronto — demonstrates a preference for long-term commitments over career hopping.
That stability could be critical for the Blue Jays as they navigate the next several years. With a core of star players in their prime, the organization faces pivotal decisions on contract extensions, roster construction, and maintaining its competitive window. A leadership change at this juncture could disrupt that trajectory.
For Shapiro, staying in Toronto is as much about the people as it is about the position. “It’s the city, the country, and the relationships I’ve built here,” he said. “Those are the things that matter to me the most.”
Eyes on October — and Beyond
While his contract situation remains unresolved, Shapiro’s focus, at least publicly, is on the current season. The Blue Jays are within reach of their best regular-season finish in years, and expectations are high for a deep postseason run — something the franchise hasn’t experienced since winning back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993.
The current team, buoyed by strong pitching, timely hitting, and improved defensive play, has managed to put last year’s disappointments firmly in the rearview mirror. If the Blue Jays can sustain their momentum into October, Shapiro’s tenure could be defined as much by this season’s results as by the infrastructure he’s helped put in place.
Still, the looming contract deadline will be a storyline to watch. Shapiro is entering what could be his final offseason with the club unless an agreement is reached. For fans, the idea of losing the architect behind much of the team’s recent stability — both on and off the field — may be unsettling.
For now, though, Shapiro seems intent on keeping the focus where he believes it belongs: on the opportunity in front of the 2025 Blue Jays. “Gratitude, appreciation, and the belief that we can win it all — that’s where my head is,” he said. “Everything else will work itself out.”
With the postseason looming and contract talks ongoing, the Blue Jays find themselves at a crossroads — one that could shape the direction of the franchise for years to come. Whether Shapiro remains to guide that journey will depend on negotiations in the months ahead, but his message is clear: Toronto is where he wants to be, and he’s hopeful that sentiment is mutual.
