ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- For all the worrying Alex Anthopoulos does about deals for players, the Toronto Blue Jays' general manager insists he isn't focused on using his success as leverage for a new contract once his expires.

Anthopoulos could become a free agent at the end of the post-season, and his work in making the Blue Jays the American League East champions has earned him consideration as one of the hottest commodities in baseball. But the Montreal native said he doesn't consider himself a wanted man like a star player.

"We're in sports because we like it, we like what we do," Anthopoulos told reporters at Tropicana Field. "I love Toronto obviously and all that kind of stuff. I don't think I've ever indicated anything to the opposite of that. I do this job because I enjoy it. I enjoy the competition, I enjoy trying to build something."

Anthopoulos built the franchise's first playoff team in 22 years, ending the longest drought in North American professional sports. He signed catcher Russell Martin and traded for Josh Donaldson among his big off-season moves and acquired ace pitcher David Price and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, among others, at the deadline.

A year ago, Anthopoulos and manager John Gibbons might've been seen as endangered species because of the team's lack of success. But Anthopoulos said he doesn't believe in using the leverage of this season to get a new deal.

Anthopoulos said he doesn't have an agent because he doesn't believe in one.

"Employees, we're not players," Anthopoulos said. "It's a marriage, it's a union, it's a partnership. There's a level of trust there. You feel comfortable with both sides, and I really don't view employees the same way. I think players are way different."

The Blue Jays have a new boss in Mark Shapiro, who takes over as president and CEO from Paul Beeston at the end of the season. Shapiro has said he'd like to keep Anthopoulos as GM.

Anthopoulos doesn't sound like someone who's eager to leave just to cash in. Asked if he wanted to stay, he replied, "Why wouldn't I?"

"I've enjoyed every year I've been in Toronto. I love the city, I love everything about it," he said. "My house is paid off, I don't lease my care anymore, I'm fine. I'm fine. Money has never motivated me in the slightest bit. I don't think that'll ever change."

Anthopoulos doesn't like the fact that his contractual status is public knowledge and doesn't believe the terms of his next deal have to be released because they'll likely be substantially bigger. He can't deny the realities of his contract but doesn't think they're as important as the product.

"I just don't think it should be a story, a topic," Anthopoulos said. "These guys are on the field are what we're doing. We won the AL East for the first time in a long time, we've got guys vying for Cy Youngs and MVPs and home field. I just think it's irrelevant, to be honest with you."

Notes -- Drew Hutchison is set to start Game 162 Sunday as the Blue Jays go for home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Mark Buehrle could pitch depending on the situation as he's two innings away from hitting 200 for the 15th consecutive season. ... Tulowitzki, who returned from a three-week absence on Friday, got Saturday off as scheduled. Manager John Gibbons expects Tulowitzki to play in the regular-season finale.