jays1977: Hi Mr. Beeston, thanks for chatting with us. Tom Verducci recently wrote an article where he detailed an MLB plan for realignment. What are your thoughts on this? Any truth? Could the Blue Jays ever be moved to a different division with Cleveland and Detroit?
Paul Beeston: It's a very good question and the Commissioner of Baseball has set up a Committee to look at and address this. It is not something that has had any great discussion other than the fact that it is an issue to be discussed at future meetings. Whether the Blue Jays are moved to another division, we will be happy if we are still aligned in a division with New York and Boston.
Because who needs the playoffs when you have a few extra high-revenue home games?
On (H)ech:
bitterbob: What ever happened to Adeinis Hechavarria? We heard a lot about him two weeks ago, but it seems like it's dead? Did he not clear customs?
Paul Beeston: We had a lot of interest in the Cuban shortstop. We still have interest in the Cuban shortstop. We do not have anything finalized and as of right now and he is still in Mexico. When there is something to announce and it is finalized it will result in a press release.
On avoiding albatrosses (albatri?):
fun34690: Paul, its great to have you back! The Vernon Wells deal really frustrates me. Will the Blue Jays go back to the policy of only doing four years ... max?
Paul Beeston: Personally, I've always believed in short-term contracts. Four-year contracts are the extent of what we will do. That is always subject to change. Short-term contracts always allow for flexibility. On the other hand, should you be able to obtain options on the players service past those four years, that is something that you would look at.
On being stuck with the concrete box:
due2illnes: Hi, Paul. Do you think that Toronto will ever build a baseball-only, open-air stadium for the Blue Jays?
Paul Beeston: I do not believe that a baseball-only, open-air stadium will be built in the foreseeable future. We are fortunate that Rogers Centre is downtown and that is has a retractable roof. When it is open it is an open-air stadium unlike others that just seem to have a hole in the roof. Perhaps sometime 25-30 years from now and the stadium there may be considerations for a new stadium. Whether that stadium is multi-purpose, baseball-only, it is not likely to change the climate in Toronto and a retractable roof gives us the advantage of having the best of both worlds.
