Toronto Blue Jays: Did John Gibbons seal his fate?
With rumours suggesting the Toronto Blue Jays plan to cut ties with John Gibbons, he went on the record saying he doesn’t think he can go through a rebuild.
John Gibbons has had bad hands dealt to him as manager of the Toronto Blue Jays and this season is no different with injuries and a lack of talent to help him compete with the powerhouse teams in the American League.
At the same time, it was something he had to see coming considering how last season went and management not really addressing the big concerns. Now it looks like the changes coming to the team could end the manager’s second stint in Toronto.
When Gibbons was brought back in 2012 by Alex Anthopoulos it came with mixed reviews given the lack of success the team had in his first stint.
"“I don’t know that there was anybody better in terms of managing a bullpen, connecting with the players, connecting with the front office, holding players accountable,” Anthopoulos said when he re-hired Gibbons. “Really everything you want in a manager. From my standpoint, I don’t have any stronger belief that this is the right guy to lead this team.”"
When things have not gone the team’s way, Gibbons has kept the mood light and is known for letting players police themselves. With younger players coming up the Blue Jays are not in the same position as they were back in 2015 and 2016.
Speaking to David Griffin of the Toronto Star, the 56-year-old spoke about his future, and his thoughts about his second stint with the team as it goes in a new direction.
"“Yes, I could adjust, but at this point in my career where I’ve been around some really good veteran players, I’m not so sure I want to be a part of a total rebuild type thing,” Gibbons explained to Griffin. “When I say that to be fair to the people that are running it, they need to have the right guy in place they think is the guy for next year and the future. They don’t want to get a constant turnover there either.“But since I’ve been managing here I’ve had a lot of young guys come up (to the majors) and I’ve done alright. So I can handle young guys. I think I’m a confidence builder that way. But I prefer, and I think most guys do, a self-run clubhouse for the most part. Less headaches that way.”"
Do the comments by Gibbons suggest that he doesn’t expect to be back next season? General manager Ross Atkins recently suggested that the team has no plans to fire Gibbons but if they did want to make a change they’re not going to divulge that information right now.
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At this point, the team gains no advantage in firing Gibbons with 48 games (as of Aug. 10) left in the season. At the same time, it wouldn’t be fair to keep Gibbons along for the ride if he’s going to be left at the side of the road.
If and when the team decides to move on from Gibbons they need to make the fanbase realize that the team needs to go in a new direction. The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees have changed managers recently and it has worked out.
That doesn’t mean the same thing will happen for the Blue Jays but with the young talent coming up they need a manager that is known for his work with young players. That’s not Gibbons strength and he’ll likely find another job with a team that needs someone to manage a veteran squad.
Next. 50/50 chance Marcus Stroman is gone after season. dark
What do you think about Gibbons’ future with the Blue Jays? Who do you expect to be the team’s manager going forward? Let us know in the comments below.