Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopolous talks trades with the Hot Stove Show

But still showed WEEI higher guest right now is the general manager of the trauma of blue jays out -- -- -- its Turkmen and rob Bradford Boston how -- you see you. Great I don't Alex what exactly do you do on Thanksgiving and I know that you're not only working to that you are Canadian and and now -- week basically shut it down today about what is it just business as usual -- -- up there. You know we shut it down as well approximately half sister I love the holiday I just. Okay it's what he can how can do better holiday Olympics you're allowed to leave work a few days before the holiday to -- Football and the wives are fine within the families find final Clinton. I think it's an unbelievable car they and it's one that our committee artist of all but two games pretty much shut down. And everything giving I mean what -- High school friends that. So broad group of Montreal -- together and given that move and its product will go grab lunch we'll watch for the games just. Hang out for three or four hours and I'll just try to enjoy it as well also a lot of all the holiday as well even though it's not the same with respect to family stuff. That's exactly robbed us at the does not a friend and so. Obviously you've been the story here the offseason so far -- blood vessel back story on the trade out have brought in Reyes and Johnson. And early in the -- there when did you start. Conversations. With Miami when you start to think it was a reality. You know we have to vote. Johnson last summer and I asked about it early in the offseason and in consensus -- newsroom motivated to do and I think there are still trying to work through some things. Tying -- managers so and so. We -- GM meetings they've reached out to. Larry -- faster just ask -- -- we can talk about Johnson and so on. And he's sitting there while we meet one where there are so setup meeting. 41 evening it is my hotel -- And which are communities very direct and hearing do what you want from us and we thought of the prices a little steep so. The depth particularly if you have some of these type of players to get adjustable to any to expand. You know we're certainly -- any two with two to expand it. -- and -- obviously like Reyes and earlier guys you have interest in and from there just you know -- but I needed to talk to ownership possible to -- involve them. Political horse field that that night about potentially adding the other to -- He said it would take their two that he would be CP identity approval from the earlier and I just continued talking and that was to move pretty fast to get out of -- -- sixties. Well suited you talked about the dollars and I think I read something where Batista said -- Y one point you say you told him. So listen we're gonna make a move at some point your time here big move in and what made this the right move in the right time to do it. No with Jose on the -- that we're gonna make a huge trade I think you know the promise was told those guys that. -- when when I was excited that you guys what little we have the chance to win and so on. We clearly building towards that but and we traded opening day starter two years in a row the first one the first ship which greatly elevate. Protecting -- Richards shot market that we got just prosper expect at the time so understandably so do that Batiste has democracy miniature circuit where we. -- and we've already stripped down and prospects of -- look. And we would be signing new strategic dirty a dirty water if we have kind of contending while you're here. So the promises made the rookie I said I pulled over for them need to sell you on what we have here too Smart guy you see yourself. You know the talent around you and -- we -- some of the guys that are on all the way into the upside of the market and our ownership and -- time as we build its. The right transaction takes place -- could be created it could be a trade I expect hill to climb steadily so. We go to the stuff significant big trade was gonna but I just wanted to address the rotation. That was gonna be the priority if it was just just just the would've been fine but. He kind of -- college of itself that have to do registered just just -- -- -- -- sitting here it just isn't -- and other trade and other free agents and we were satisfied at shortstop but. Already this is someone that have always -- as a player he just brings a lot of things he can't find. And obviously a guy like Burley is probably brings especially the young team as we have to that they both be -- guys in part Bonifacio was really. The guy that court held up to deal for largest -- -- pretty exciting player to have his books explicitly positioned so. It took a little time but it was this is not expected that we didn't plan on making a big trade it just worked out that way. When you look at Reyes and in you know I think most people view him as a centerpiece of the deal. -- look at his contract I -- the final three years he makes about 66 million dollars given his age he's going to be at that time that position he plays. Was at a real road block for you look at the Tribune took that contract that's a lot of money for pay for a shortstop and as you know -- -- her serve early mid thirties and appointed as the. It's certainly -- and you know -- -- -- -- on the question of the deal. And if you look at some of the other there's no question it's obviously higher it's -- and Allen and I think that's partly what makes him available but. I think with the way the game is going to try to project at how things are starting to move. I think revenues are clearly starting the climate look at some of the TV deals to sell it and I -- -- think the needle started move on some of these players or some of the contracts are going and I do think that European rules set up to you handle. Protect the contract and he's the only one that. Believe that's the only large structure we have that's for five years. Starting in 2013 we don't have any seven year deal with things like that so the minority race at the time he was. Fourteen million or eighteen million or seventeen million absolutely. It's certainly can happen but that is supported time would you rather have the play than not have the player and I think because it's a premium to position player. Shortstop to such -- scarce commodity. And to begin with and then you add in the fact that he's a leadoff hitter which just by themselves a leadoff hitters Soeharto department. And -- you bring in the the component upon receipt of stolen bases contact ability -- strikeout much does have actually getting pretty good power. For a smaller guy you look of people protested that it with the Mets in the morals and outcome of the world are -- -- part of the Powell put up a little more. And probably more important than anything else in the energy level that that he brings. -- -- will rub off on his other teammates involved -- the same -- so and we really wanted to try to get more high energy players on this roster. So I think I would say yes. The example I can -- thanks for years. He'll Manny Ramirez it would start may have been overpaid is performing having MVP seasons with Boston between millions and maybe -- were sixteen -- the -- fourteen or seventeen in the still possible rather have a the president not of the player and I think that's ultimately what it comes down to for us. -- our -- last at last year's winner meetings that you guys acquired Sergio Santos and it really caught everyone off guard is no one had a sniff of that and I think that that was a good job by an organization keep it. On the down low and and not let other teams get involved. And every and how important was it to keep this things under -- to assert its tickets it after the fact we hear that the -- sites -- and Andreas or not Johnson. But certainly I would imagine as a competitive advantage to not let teams know that it's a trade of this magnitude. I think 100% as a competitive advantages think. Accident happened fourteen jump in her. Try to slow slow things up for confuse things media gets a hold things they start writing articles and once started can be influenced in order can be influenced. And it doesn't allow you to really deal work in the one thing about the Marlins in this just based on the past experiences with them. And make your decision to do so -- they're gonna move money in payroll of players there if you look at the past few other than last off season which is. The one -- they -- things that was out of character for them signing over the trees -- When he made moves with players' salaries they're pretty aggressive and in early in the off season and they're very direct you know what they want. -- -- know Larry will make make -- move and he'll move fast and he won't shop that he won't call around. And so from the asset portfolio quote this is a great opportunity for -- -- -- addresses a lot of -- needs. -- was major value for us in getting it done early in the offseason because it gives us much more clarity from appeals standpoint from the other holes that we need to sell. It allows us to more clearly take advantage of till the next two months of the off -- the hardest thing. -- sometimes you have too many options in too many alternatives. And you become paralyzed and before you know what the off season really starts to gain steam -- -- into December. You haven't made a decision because you know -- one decision that eliminates five more so all those things added up and again this was the perfect deal ferocity of the players -- the right fit for us the contract like are basically able to handle the salaries. To give an appeal -- it was hard to do that. It can hurt us too bad where we -- have any young players left so it's something that we needed to to pursue -- really go after. When you obviously is this said drawn a little bit after it was first reported were you nervous at all that. By the commissioner was gonna step in -- and enact any kind of power. No because I mean we have two people -- opposite would not on the trade side no doubt that it was a very very deal. As hard as articulate a lot of those young players so. I understand that. The reaction in South Florida reactions of some of these guys that signed that we need to take all that component away with a view to had been in the stadium. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- You know we know that a lot of these -- in China to be very very good. And you know the only saving grace process for now there in the National League -- so they don't have to come back and honestly as for. The immediate time that I was concerned at all that it was -- improved because I think it was a very good baseball trade and that we had a lot of debate internally. I would that we we should do it but ultimately made the decision. I think another component to make this deal for us to was where our team is right now and how -- times -- two key players for a certain that a casino and Jose Batiste. The two guys that are austerity and 31 years old and there in the prime of their career and I don't know the next time -- ever. As a GM -- the to have 240 home run hitters in the middle of the lineup and -- under control for the next four years in the prime of their career and we have to take advantage of that. And is his greatest some of these young players are. I don't know that there are gonna get up here and it'll be impact -- big league players -- time to take advantage of those two guys being in the -- here for years now will -- already gone. So I want to take advantage of having those two premium -- you know middle of the order power hitters are so hard to find and I think you'll receive any. And -- Ortiz all those years in the at least that was incredible color combo and I think Batiste and concealment which has to be comparable to those two. We did general manager Al -- topless on the hot stove show on ninety threesome. Alex before 2011 milky Cabrera had never had a slight percentage I think over 416 in -- he has over 752011. With Kansas City 200. Last year attempt to -- nine a 64 gets busted. What was the thought process and in behind signing in two years sixteen million did you view him as the player before the last couple years -- does that. As a thought you know come across -- we -- bringing Gallic amber. And it really look at last year and are they anyone expected you know 900 plus so well PS in the this season -- had there and I think you know we're looking at somewhere that we think I can do what he did in 2011. What with the royals and you know what we like about it has. A lot of improved her defense in the oil field and the protection of the other three outfield spots and it's a very rare that you can get. Well good hitter they can play off in the outfield spot it's almost kind of have to put up at a campus right because the arm strength isn't there in the press journalist and analyst. He brings the Arab -- these -- big enough to play the field so spot. Haven't actually given their reading -- fielder but. If we had to play and then promoted to group certainly could. The other thing that like quite a bit about -- -- strikeout much and we have a lot of that is very high in strikeouts. And nailed those sort of the rotation starters which is dominated the strikeout for fourteen and and we just couldn't get anything going to companies that manufacture. Runs because it could put the ball play and so probably at least put the ball play and have a pretty good contact ability. And on topic that he doesn't have some pretty good -- speed and he runs fairly well capitalism statement about a murder. They can do some of those things and then laughing like a comfortable with the -- time and energy player. And the ethnic again the more those guys that you could have over the course is excellent season. On the field and -- I think our club so responsible that we need to come in and carry the load. Don't look at -- as the two hole hitter between parade in Kim Batiste. But the other thing he brings me to put this put this which credibility he can be a great couple -- and particularly that of the lineup to. And so we were -- never had issues Cortland even last year. But again and solidified -- -- -- -- -- have more contact ability and solidify ourselves defensively. I mean a lot of sense and we know what the push for a two year deal. -- strictly looking at. With the free agent market look like at the end of thirteen and we were little credibility options we're going to be so. Without having bulky here for ten years in the cabinet post stability would call us and Batiste. They can force. House last question from me I just looking at the landscape the American League east. And seemingly how the the Yankees and the Red Sox in particular taking slightly different approaches it may -- they have in the past. Did that factor in all the say hey you know what this is our time to make this type of move or does it just a factor. You know you're gonna do what you feel is best for the team no matter what the other team to do -- And we never react and how can we can't we can never react what the other teams you don't want -- both incredibly low round. We -- the resources that the that the people -- been you know they're always going to be detained about sort of -- -- here but. I think we -- -- expected to be a great team coming in and he's and so I don't know why they're able bounced back. I think if anything now. We just want to get better and I you know it was not from last season what exactly three games and I told our our staff -- -- meeting. At the end of the year and we start to overstep in the stadium and so on and can talk with the Nazis it'll bring united told them might two dollar a little village who lived through this definitely wins and have -- more particularly games it's -- it makes for a walk dumber and I don't little witnesses that again and will we motivated in the front office to turn things around but probably more so than ever. Because it's it's not a front with a spent -- -- so and we do feel we have a lot apparently have a good team we just needed to make some tweaks and tell right now if we have to open -- we have we feel okay about it. I would definitely not flawless probably don't start to look leftists continue to try to get better. You know outside of the reaction up there with the hiring of Gibbons here's kind of seen -- a bit ahead -- 500 record some instance with Hillenbrand and really there. I guess quote why did you hire him like to bring him back. -- I think a great -- great manager obviously that's first and foremost and I know. To protect for a lot of people that I don't know -- I expect that -- maybe criticism hat stretcher. It didn't win any you know commit to make pasta with a World Series. -- you look at and -- 500 when he was here so that was back when the American -- league east was basically ruled by. Opportunity for the Red Sox winning 95 plus games each year just. Great teams. And the other tables were significantly higher than where to Ottawa to account level significantly toward total that I think is pretty incredible achievement with what he had to work with -- besides how urgent enough that time. You know and also that because you know some of the -- with the players in the channel Ben had issues -- -- talks. Issues -- Diamondbacks. And you know I that I would expect you know what he did when he was here. I wanna manager to react I would prefer that you want electric slide with Ted Lilly. I've got to -- it showed up before with detectable from. Got a mountain happily -- get out of here would do wells turned the ball on the left feels solid and he's been told them. And it's you know pinned David Wells up under the tunnel property of the Albright -- between Gatwick will tell and so on and so. That's not deviated from human being I think you'll hear a lot of former players say that about them. But I think taking all that away. Our players closely informing connects with them. Staff -- to work for an he's very good Indian band manager -- it was -- -- that -- -- -- -- -- -- -- It's probably good that he -- -- -- valuable time I think that the -- wants to -- record overall. Was as much a reflection of comedy has that was good but not good enough but I played a tremendous shot but he was here so we're -- consumers over I would look to. Believe that the -- I was gonna go for it felt was right in order or evoked. PR splash or China Japan incorporated we can't careful in its winning. And try to forget it helps for the multiple schemes -- that was the decision that I was gonna make. Toxic to take some time in the holiday the joints. Are really thanks Alex. I'll check up was the additional manager joining us. In Jumbo from those two interviews rob while that this was a best Thanksgiving based Costco may -- -- -- -- God I think they're both both guys are pretty -- pretty interesting and gave a lot of good information -- this. The -- and toppled -- -- explanation of why they did that trade and how that came into effect in. That's the whole timing of it is fascinating to me because. For all these years all these years I've been predicting the blue jays are gonna finish in first place that. That they said though we know we have this money we have this money we have this money in the -- to the point to be -- you. Where you just feel like no they don't have this money that you say that to get the fan base excited. Well you know they had a money -- is not a lot of times where you -- a team with that type of payroll also and jump to the level that they did -- -- just. I get an approval from the ownership you know what was interesting answer for me was about Reyes and I think you know the last three years are over -- 22 million. But -- -- fairly and that you know revenue was changing. And if he can stay healthy he's a 1415 million dollar year player for them since he's making twenty million up into the world. And I'll tell you another thing he said which -- is the Batista Encarnacion. Analogy to the Ortiz and Manny. About hey you know what we can't waste this we can't we have this and we can't waste it. The and that's why we have to make our move now way is to -- long lines of what we hear all timer. But Tom Brady and everything else but. Hey listen it is all easier admitting it that's great to me if you feel like you have to make -- move because you have two special players and whoever thought Edwin Encarnacion was going to be special player. But he was a race that's a that's a rare player and based. That's the thing about that trade deal for me that it that would concern me if I'm trying to measure of a guy coming up a great year -- simply don't know bring in Johnson you don't know. You're bringing in brilliance and terrible against Seattle Easter bring in Reyes who is in Russia was healthy but that's a real health problems is just too many holes for me to see you work. Yet all those it. I think that it's it's a gamble worth trying in Europe -- and why do I do army if you're gonna get the approval from the ownership group. Because this -- you have to get death fan base excited I think now if they start out immediately find themselves in last place the -- -- -- gonna -- crickets because people assailants the same -- blue jays pitcher but I think in dispute are asking about what I found interesting about the other interview or both interviews John Farrell. I think the question you asked about Alfredo -- is going to be something is gonna keep coming up. About how they're gonna approach it and it it sounds like their hoping that to get him right in hoping big they're fine. The guy the that was valuable couple years ago. But the way that Farrell talked also -- -- Sally you've been handled with kid gloves -- well I mean urgently went around saying he basically said that there have been some rules -- this fall he's gone is that kind of that you took from. Yes and I think that that's almost if you're gonna keep this guy if first you have to -- he's gone yet you have to do it because. It wasn't only this year in many examples this year but also there was instances with the Franco ordered regime. Which didn't matter at the time to -- -- -- so so he had no I think that. -- that I think it was an encouraging sign terms the way that he subject -- -- If you see -- over the next week back on that there's we're gonna go into so we're gonna have next week's show. And then the next week after that the winner means the end of the winter meetings. And and this is where things start heating up the GM meetings -- that was displaying foundation. But now we're starting C player signed the Kuroda thing I think and I think that. Obviously there's a couple key Al fielders out there BJ Upton Michael Bourn. I think now we'll take a while the assigned -- I think there's once a couple of these other guys -- -- UNC a lot more access we have two of the. Meetings now do for now thanks Alex and topless and John -- for Jones had a date producing and rob Bradford Alex spirit I'll see you here next week. I'm not -- show on 937 W media.