National Harbor, MD. – Ross Atkins feels your pain, Blue Jays fans.



He knows a lot of you crave the return of Edwin Encarnacion, the cost be damned. He knows some of you are not beguiled by Kendrys Morales, the new designated hitter, and Steve Pearce, the new first baseman-outfielder, although he thinks you will warm to them in time.



But the Jays general manager insists he understands your angst. For the past six years, Encarnacion and Jose Bautista have formed a mighty fulcrum in the lineup, and finally helped drive the team into the playoffs – twice – and now, suddenly the big boppers and their dramatic flair are gone.



Deep down, you knew it couldn’t last, but that doesn’t dampen the ineffable sadness some are feeling and the doubt that the Jays can replace those two and keep on winning. Because it was the winning that lifted the spirit and filled the seats and galvanized a new generation of fans. They want the era of good...