His new team reminds him of his old one. Next, on Springer.
George Springer believes the core of young talent on the Toronto Blue Jays is akin to his teammates coming up with the Houston Astros, who won a World Series title in 2017 that later was tainted by a sign-stealing scandal.
“This lineup reminds me a lot of them,” Springer said Wednesday during a video conference call. “It is a young lineup but it’s a very talented, advanced younger lineup. From everything I’ve seen, they’re very, very ambitious. They want to win, they work hard. That’s awesome to see.”
Springer, who inked a six-year deal worth $150 million with the Jays as a free agent, played for the Astros from 2014-2020, alongside fellow homegrown stars Jose Altuve, Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa.
The Blue Jays’ lineup boasts young sluggers Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero, and they also agreed with free agent Oakland A’s shortstop Marcus Semien – a 2019 MVP finalist – on a one-year deal worth $18 million. Toronto qualified for the playoffs last season with a 32-28 record in the shortened campaign, and appears to have greater ambitions in 2021.
George Springer Getty Images“I think they’re right there,” said Springer, who batted .292 with career highs of 39 home runs and 96 RBIs in 2019. “When you play against this team like I have, you could see the talent, could see the potential in their lineup, in their staff, in their arms. I think this team is built to win, and I think they’re going to be built to win for a long time.
“When you have a young, talented group that’s already in place, it’s obviously very, very attractive because you know what they could potentially do.”
The Mets also were interested in landing the 31-year-old center fielder, but Springer declined to address his talks with them.
“This is about the Blue Jays. I don’t really have anything to say on that matter,” Springer said. “I’m extremely happy to be where I am.”
