Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins speaks to the media in Toronto, on April 8.Chris Young/The Canadian Press
The Toronto Blue Jays have already started making changes after a last-place finish in the American League East.
It’s likely just the start for a franchise that appears to be in make-or-break mode ahead of a critical off-season.
“Playing September baseball games without playoff implications is painful,” team president Mark Shapiro said Wednesday. “It’s tough and it’s not where we want to be.”
After reaching the playoffs in three of the four previous years, the Blue Jays finished 74-88 this past season. Toronto was a seller at the trade deadline and spent the last three months of the campaign in last place.
“It’s an unacceptable outcome and I take responsibility for that,” said general manager Ross Atkins.
Shapiro, who held his own end-of-season media availability earlier in the day at Rogers Centre, confirmed that Atkins will continue in his current role.
Since the season ended last Sunday, the Blue Jays have made several coaching changes.
Don Mattingly will shift back to a bench coach role after serving one season as offensive co-ordinator, Atkins said. Hitting coach Guillermo Martinez won’t be back and field co-ordinator Gil Kim and assistant pitching coach Jeff Ware won’t return to their previous roles.
However, the real heavy lifting for Atkins awaits over the next few months.
At least one power bat is likely needed to help rejuvenate an offence that struggled all year. The bullpen is in need of a significant makeover.
The long-term status of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette – both faces of the franchise – will also hang over the off-season since both players are entering the final year of their contracts.
The Blue Jays, who were swept in the wild-card round in 2020, ‘22 and ‘23, haven’t won a playoff game since 2016 after Atkins’ first year on the job.
“As we stated at the very beginning, we’ve had goals to bring championships back to Canada and that certainly remains,” he said. “I know that I need to take a step in order for us to do that and I’m committed to that.”