Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos ‘reluctantly, regrettably’ leaving team

TORONTO – Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos is leaving the organization less than a week after being eliminated from the playoffs.

Blue Jays out-president and CEO Paul Beeston confirmed that Anthopoulos has ’reluctantly and regrettably’ decided not to return to the organization in 2016.

Early Thursday, citing multiple sources, Sportsnet reported Anthopoulos rejected a contract extension to remain as general manager.

READ MORE: Fans react to reports of Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos leaving team

“Alex has done an unbelievable job and positioned us well for the future,” Beeston said in a statement. “He can take great pride in his past and while we do not know where his future is taking him, we do know wherever he is going, he will be successful.”

Blue Jays chairman Edward Rogers says Anthopoulos rejected a five-year contract.

“Alex has done a terrific job as GM of the Blue Jays over the past six seasons, and we would have loved it if he stayed with the club,” Rogers said in a statement. “Like fans, we too are disappointed he has chosen not to accept our five-year contract offer, but we wish him the very best.”

Rogers said the coaching staff and the front office team will remain heading into next year.

Anthopoulos took over the helm as GM in 2009, after then team president Beeston fired J.P. Ricciardi.

The announcement of Anthopoulos’ departure comes on the same day he was named Executive of the Year by a panel of 47 Major League Baseball executives.

It’s the first time a Blue Jays’ executive has won the award.

On Monday, Anthopoulos didn’t shine any light on his contract talks during his end of season press conference but said he feels like he’s starting to “hit his stride” as general manager of the Jays.

The 38-year-old Montreal native helped end the team’s 22-year playoff drought, by capturing the American League East Division.

The Kansas City Royals eliminated the Jays in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series.

Anthopoulos made headlines last off-season by acquiring Josh Donaldson from the Oakland Athletics and signing Canadian catcher Russell Martin. He also bolstered the Jays team at the July 31 trade deadline by acquiring David Price, Ben Revere and Troy Tulowitzki among others.

Anthopoulos’ contract expired at the end of October. His departure comes just days before incoming president Mark Shapiro takes over from Beeston.

-with a file from The Canadian Press