Probably Rogers to blame here when dust is settled. But a tough situation all around.
Shapiro had to have been made promises when he got lured away from Cleveland after such a long time here, that there was a challenge, both on the business side, but especially on the baseball side. Thus, likley given full autonomy for a lot of things, including the roster as part of the terms of his hiring.
AA always wanted autonomy, but was handcuffed by the Rogers purse strings and by Beeston's 5 year rule of FA's. Finally, when the trade deadlines of all trade deadline pulls a 50-51 team into a hit away from a Game 7 of an ALCS series 3 month later, I am sure he felt that vindication that, if he had the money to spend and some of the shackles loosened, and full power to make moves, he could do even more.
If he had a contract here for a couple more years, I don't think he'd be gone. Reports are he was offered a one or two year deal in the summer which was too short, which then got pushed to 5 after the success.
I think he knows that over the next 5 years Rogers is not going to be opening the wallets up, and that's too long a term to be spinning wheels.
And lets not make him out to be a patron saint. He finished 5 games about 500 in his 6 years here with a lot of moves so/so (again, partly due to Rogers I am sure), and Rogers, as mentioned, was not going to be splashing out cash each season or trade deadline...they didn't do it last year after promising to add to the roster at the trade deadline if they were close...and didn't, and the team tailspinned out of contention. This year, he managed to do the big deal, but those can't be done every year. Sure, Donaldson was a great move, but again, before Tulo/Price etc arrived, they were 4th in the AL East.
Bottom line, AA felt he deserved full control of the roster (or desires that), but the combination of Shapiro wielding all the power as part of the terms of his hire 2 months ago, and the likelihood of Rogers spending money that AA wants, figures he doesn't need to work under those conditions for another half decade.
Don't blame him, nor do I blame Shapiro...again, if he had a year left, he'd be back.
Interesting to see the fallout. Gibby back? Can't see it. How does the roster take this? Toronto isn't a FA destination, and anyone excited to play in TO after the run may have second thoughts when the GM goes (no matter how agreeable to all parties it was).
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