As an established, MVP-calibre shortstop admired for his strength of character and influence on others as well as his on-field performance, interest would presumably be robust. A down year amid the small-sample randomness of a 60-game season, with the extenuating circumstances of a rib injury and a late rebound, could be interpreted differently.
“I'm really happy with the decision,” Semien added during his Blue Jays introduction Tuesday. “I like the fact that they're still working on some things, trying to add some pieces and it just seems like some teams right now in the league are not doing that. I know COVID has a lot to do with that, but it's nice to be on a team that's still adding and going for it right now.”
When asked about Oakland’s efforts to re-sign him, Semien sighed and said, “Well, we called them. I’ll leave it at that.”that the best the Athletics could do was offer him $12.5 million for one year with $10 million deferred in equal instalments over 10 years. “During our Zoom call with Toronto, they asked me, what position do you like if it's not shortstop? I said, ‘I like shortstop,’” Semien recalled with a grin. “And then I said, ‘But if I had to pick, I think second, just staying in the middle, but I'm open to anything.’ That's kind of how second base came about. Working on that double play turn is something I've done in the past, but just focusing on that every day is going to be something that helps us win ballgames.
That called for a one-month delay to camp and a 154-game season at full pay for 162 games – along with a return of the universal DH and an expanded, 14-team playoff – to allow COVID-19 infection rates to drop while vaccinations increased. Whether that’s possible is another matter, but the union would be right to view the owners’ proposal with skepticism and suspicion. Compressing 154 games into 166 days with several doubleheaders made it “a little dangerous for players” from an injury standpoint, said Semien.
ShiDavidi Can hardly wait for Opening Day. Another quality arm in the rotation would be welcome, though.