The Toronto Blue Jays are on their way to missing the playoffs for a second consecutive season, and it sounds like their latest shortcomings will be enough to end John Gibbons’ second stint with the team.
A person familiar with the thinking of both the Blue Jays and Gibbons told Jon Heyman of Fancred Sports that there is a “99.9 percent” chance that the two sides are going to part ways after the season. Heyman notes that Gibbons has spoken with Toronto GM Ross Atkins about the situation multiple times, so it would not be a surprise if he’s informed the team will be looking for another manager.
“We’ll sit down after the year and see what direction we’re going to go, myself included,” Gibbons told Heyman.
The Blue Jays are said to be interested in hiring a younger manager and entering a rebuilding phase, with a focus on winning by 2020 or 2021. Gibbons hinted in a recent radio interview that he has no interest in being part of a rebuilding project.
Gibbons has an overall record of 783-776 in 11 seasons over two stints in Toronto. The 56-year-old is reportedly interested in continuing to manage beyond 2018 if the situation is appealing enough.
