Ross Atkins Confirmed It Friday, John Gibbons Is Done In Toronto
Source: While the long-term future of Blue Jays manager John Gibbons remains unknown, GM Ross Atkins has confirmed the bench boss will finish what has been a difficult season in Toronto.
According to Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi, Gibbons’ tenure with the organization will be revisited once the 2018 campaign comes to a close.
John Gibbons will finish out the season as #BlueJays manager and his future will be revisited afterwards, GM Ross Atkins says
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) August 17, 2018
The news comes less than a week after Gibbons said he wasn’t sure if a full rebuild was something he’s interested in.
Honestly, you can’t blame the 56-year-old, who is in his second stint with the team. The magical playoff runs of 2015 and 2016 are a distant memory, while the last two years have been frustrating. Injuries have largely been to blame for Toronto’s current record of 55-66.
The team sits fourth in the AL East and, with the exception of a few prospects getting playing time recently, there has been very little to look forward to. Changes will need to be made in the offseason if the squad hopes to compete down the road.
Who knows how long that process will take and whether or not Gibbons will be around to see it through.
Let us read between the lines for you.
John Gibbons has about a month and a half left as Blue Jays manager.
The rumblings about his replacement have already started, and Gibby isn’t even out of the door yet.
Eric Wedge is a candidate and has been since the day he was hired, but from what we have been told, he’s not the front-runner. The next manager of the Toronto Blue Jays is likely someone who recently retired from the game and if they speak Spanish, they are going to have a huge advantage.
With the international flavour of the Blue Jays currently, and in their cupboard of prospects, it makes sense for the next manager to be able to demand the Spanish language.
Gibby hardly speaks English.
If you get a chance to head down to a game over the next few weeks, make sure you get down to the dugout and wish John Gibbons all the best.
He’s not going to be around for much longer.