During the Blue Jays’ end-of-season press conference today, GM Ross Atkins spoke to reporters about a variety of topics, including the decision to pull right-hander Jose Berrios from what proved to be the club’s final game of the season after just three innings, the future of manager John Schneider and the coaching staff, as well as the club’s offense in 2022.
Regarding the decision to pull Berrios, Atkins emphasized that in-game decision making is a role that belongs exclusively to Schneider, saying (as relayed by MLB.com’s Julia Kreuz) that the front office did not “influence” Schneider’s game plan for the club’s pitching staff, “other than maybe that it was an organizational strategy that had been communicated to players.” Though Atkins emphasized that he did not play a role in the decision, he also expressed support for Schneider’s decision, noting that run prevention wasn’t the club’s issue during the series, where they mustered just one run on fifteen hits across the two games. “The strategy is one that, in the end, was effective if we only allowed two runs,” Atkins said.
While Atkins expressed support for Schneider and confirmed during the presser that he would return as the club’s manager in 2024, the future of Toronto’s coaching staff appears less certain as Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi notes that Atkins described discussions on the future of the club’s coaching staff as “ongoing,” though the specifics of any changes being considered were unclear.
In terms of offseason priorities, Atkins made clear that the club will look to improve its offense ahead of the 2024 campaign. Though the club’s 107 wRC+ was a solid figure that placed them eighth-best in the majors this season, it still represents a noteworthy decline from last year’s AL-best offense that posted a 118 wRC+. The club suffered a particularly tough season in terms of power, as Toronto’s ISO dipped from .168 in 2022 to .161 this year. While that dip may seem insignificant, it’s all the more concerning given the much stronger offensive environment around the sport in 2023, as made obvious by the Blue Jays going from eighth-best in the majors last year to just 18th this season, worst among playoff teams in the AL.
With sluggers Brandon Belt (19 homers, .236 ISO) and Matt Chapman (17 homers, .185 ISO) both scheduled to hit free agency in the coming weeks, even more pressure figures to be placed on franchise face Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to bounce back from 2023’s down season . That said, stronger performances from outfielders George Springer and Daulton Varsho as well as catcher Alejandro Kirk will also be necessary if the club’s offense is going to regain its top-of-the-league form from 2022. Of course, the team could also look to free agency in order to give their offense a facelift. Chapman and Belt will be joined by the likes of Mitch Garver, Rhys Hoskins, J.D. Martinez, and Joc Pederson as some of the better power bats available this winter.
I don’t trust people that say ‘maybe.’ It was the front office’s decision, undoubtedly. Keeping Schneider and making changes to the coaching staff tells all.
I think Atkins nailed their biggest issue when he said: “I think the strongest lever for us to pull is countering how we’re being attacked … helping the players that are here perform better.”
They can go out and sign Joc or Jeimer or whomever but as long as the core players are underperforming, new faces won’t move the needle enough. Improvement needs to come from within.
It’s the regression that is so alarming…why is everyone getting worse? Especially Vladdy, Kirk, Manoah … what is going on in Toronto? How did they win so many games when they looked so bad at various times during the season, and all of the postseason??? I need to read the original article, but from this synopsis it sounds like Atkins is completely incoherent. Really gonna throw Schneider under the bus for that atrocious decision. OMG Atkins has got to go!
Some players suggest Berríos decision was from higher up. It’s well known that it’s at least a group making that decision. Atkins comes and says it’s all Schneider and throws him under the bus to take the fall while faintly praising him. Seems there’s currently little trust in Toronto (players/fans) in Atkins and the whole thing is a mess. Would be great to see Atkins gone tbh – best way to start to clean this up.
its very interesting listening to Johns presser after the game compared to what atkins is saying. so my question is whos lying? its pretty obviously atkins but both need to go. theyve squandered the cheap control of the core of this team and now have very little when it comes to valuable prospects since theyve been buyers for the last 4 years with very little to show for it along with the stock of many of the upper rank prospects taking a step back this year but im sure thats also not atkins fault. its funny to how certain rogers media members are already starting to spin it that it was the right decision to pull Jose now that the dust is starting tp settle.
Bigdaddy – that Rogers media spin machine is a big problem in Toronto. No critical eye following the Jays, too frequently ‘all-is-well.’
I’d give Mattingly the reins for 2024.
Mattingly is a terrible manager.
Spoken like a true Jays fan, Just. Maybe hire Cito or John Gibbons again?
Are those really the only 2 options? Lol such a silly response. Mattingly sucks because he sucks end of story, the vast majority of people would agree
That’s an informed point of view. Mattingly is exceptional at running a clubhouse & his players loved him in Miami. You have a remarkably naive view of baseball managers. Jays fans will be happy with whatever Sportsnet is reporting.
This team is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Pitching solidified for a cpl years (starting and bp) but no offence coming from the system or through a weak free agent class.
Run it back with a pitching defence mentality? Hope that guys rebound and that a cpl guys resign for team friendly contracts?
Doubt and bad idea.
They need to strip it down from the top and rebuild… even if it means saying goodbye to Bo
Oh and clearly cant trade the few remaining prospects that have some decent upside for any offensive upgrades.
the problem is your not trading Varsho or Vlad which were 2 of the worst 3 hitters (chapman being the 3rd). Trade Bo, Jansen, Krik, Gaus, Kuch, Berrios, Bassit, Romano, Garcia, Swanson Mayza and springer if you can find a taker. let all the FA walk youll have a hell of a cheap team and a boat load of propects but i dont see this team doing that with all the money rogers is putting into the team/stadium. just to do a complete rebuild the year that the 250 million dollar reno that rogers did is completed.
bigdaddyt 100%.
There’s no way you trust Atkins with a second teardown, he wasn’t any good the first time
bluejaymatt 2 For sure!
*rock and a hard place
>your not trading Varsho or Vlad which were 2 of the worst 3 hitters (chapman being the 3rd)
What a stupid statement. Vladdy is 24. He just had his worst year at the plate: 26 HR, 94 HR, 117 OPS+. A lot of players would make a pact with the devil to make that their “worst” year. Also…
Top four Jays by WAR:
Bo Bichette: 4.8
Matt Chapman: 4.4
Kevin Kiermaier: 3.9
Daulton Varsho: 3.9
Most position players bat AND field. Fielding has value! There are even awards for fielding, don’t you know. So while Varsho and Chapman disappointed at the plate, overall, they provided great value.
Yes that’s true. The problem with Varsho , Chapman and Kiermaier’s defence strong numbers is that you have to get the offence from the other positions. Bichette was great offensively and Kirk had a great mixture of defence with his slightly reduced offensive profile but Vladdy’s 2 War is replacement level and needs to be better along with some extra offence in FA . Depending on the cost I would be looking at getting Chapy back again if it was a 5 year 100 Mil contract but not any higher. He can earn that with his defence and steady leadership. He anchors the infield defence. And also sign Kiermaier back at a 1 or two year 20 Mil contract.
2 years and 20 total for kk would be done yesterday if that’s all it would take. Chapman has elite D I agree it’s valuable but his bat was just down right terrible you take his insane April outta the equation and he’s got like 12 homers and a .200 average factor in all those hip injuries and I’d be real reluctant to hand him a big contract when you already have 3 20 mil guys in rotation a closer to start paying springer getting closer and closer to dead money and the Vlad issue. This team is so weird because they have the pitching but no have no bats what so ever
You’re absolutely right about playing both sides of the ball. However, being at least a league average bat is a necessity for being an everyday player. Varsho’s 85 wRC+ makes him a strong side platoon bat or a 4th OF. He is definitely not a starting player. Even slotting him in the 9 hole.
I remember the defence at third before Chappy and it was not that good. I’m thinking with a 230 Mil payroll we should be able to squeeze in an extra 7.5 Mil a year for Chappy (he made 12.5 Mil this year). As bad as his hitting has been he has been at 4.1 fWar in 21′ , 4.2fWar in 22′ and 3.5 fWar in 23′. He would deserve to get paid and I hope it is with the Jays. Saving runs isn’t as easy to quantify as creating runs but they are just as important. Too bad our players can’t play offensive and defensive in one player.
Why do we want Chapman back? He’s looked terrible at the plate and with his age will only get worse and we have youth coming up ready to fill that spot. Chapman leaves 100%
Did you watch any games this year Terry? Varsho provided nothing substantial. Defense was nice, sure. Do you have any critical thinking or do you reference Wins Above Replacement as an argument to start and protect a near-automatic out?
He was in the lower 10 in baseball in-terms of OPS out of all qualifying players. He plays a position where teams hide a bad outfielder. The numbers do not reflect how bad Varsho was this year.
Vladdy is 24. He just had his worst year at the plate: 26 HR, 94 HR, 117 OPS+.
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That’s not special for a dude making $20M. Especially someone with a bad glove.
Varsho provided nothing substantial. Defense was nice, sure.
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My issue with the trade is that the defensive alignment is strange. I’m not crazy about trading for a GG OF to put him LF. And he and KK are nice enough players, but a little redundant.
With two LH bats the Jays needed a RH bat badly. They didn’t do it. They suffered the consequences. But let’s all applaud the WAR argument as Varsho proves that WAR needs a serious discussion over its validity.
OmG just listened to Atkins presser. It’s even worse than how it sounds from this synopsis. What a Poindexter!!! What a dead man walking…him and Shopping Mall Santa (Schneider.) I can’t believe they are still there! Maybe Monday is the chopping block.
fire his smug ass already
The players and fans believe Atkins made decision not Schneider. They will fire hitting coach blame him.
Hitting coach is fired either way
That name reminds me of Garrett Atkins. Does anyone remember him?
This is a good team. They won 89 this year even though Vlad wasn’t the MVP caliber hitter we all expect and some of the others underwhelmed a bit too, varsho/Chapman/Kirk. If they ran it back with mostly the same squad next year I’d predict them to make the playoffs again. Don’t go crazy because Berrios didn’t pitch another inning
If the same fans that are upset with Berrios getting taken out, if you asked them how many games the jays would have won if they scored 1 run in 18 innings of playoff baseball before the games started, how many would the fans think they won.
Too be up front Adkins is a goof GM. BS the fans,media and even Rogers. Shapiro and Adkins are so lucky that Edward Rogers is a invisible owner and really only appears when it’s time to discuss the budget and attendance figures and TV ratings. Rogers needs to be more involved and hands on with the baseball operations like does Edward Rogers even know if the club has won or lost on a daily basis. The only way to get rid of Shapiro and Adkins is for Rogers to step in over Shapiro and make changes. Both Shapiro and Adkins have only 2 more years to get it right because both Bichette and Guerrero are FA eligible after 2025.
If Rogers don’t fire Atkins, I will switch my phone carrier to TELUS.
Unfortunately Atkins probably stays til they are ready for a new GM to make the Bo and/or Vlad trade
They have Click on the payroll. Dollars to donuts he’s already picked the drapes for Atkins office while Atkins is pocketing office supplies at the end of the day.
shapiro and atkins HAVE NEVER EVER PUT TOGETHER AN ELITE BALL CLUB !! EVER !!
DISGUSTING HOW atkins throws everyone under the BUS EXCEPT HIMSELF and shapiro ….THESE CLOWNS NEED TO BE FIRED !~!!
As for Schneider ..HE’S NOT THE MANAGER WE NEED !!!
Why you yelling for?
It kinda fits thought.
atkins REMINDS ME OF trudeau , EVERY TIME THEY OPEN THEIR MOUTHS THEY ARE LIEING !!
I don’t see this as Atkins throwing anyone under the bus. He was just stating the facts is all. He is hearing that people are getting things wrong so he is directing them in the right direction. It’s not up to Atkin’s to take all the blame if he wasn’t even a part of the decision in the first place so he is saying ask “John , I wasn’t there”. I love a leader who steps up when there is stress and takes all the burden to protect his team but Atkins definitely wasn’t doing that . Atkins I’m sure feels the fans wrath and also feels he is getting closer to the door. Shapiro must be feeling that too so his protection of Atkins and Schneider will be limited. John doesn’t seem to be totally to blame but if he was in the position longer he might have been able to change the “plan” based on how events were playing out.
Need to get Lt Colombo on the case to once and for all determine who made the decision to pull Berrios. Then work from there.
Doesn’t matter, if you can’t score it doesn’t matter who’s pitching
It wasn’t a fact.
They need to shakeup the core of this roster by adding a superstar, Guerrero and Bichette have shown when it matters they can’t produce. The jays desperately needed another bat in the top 4 of the lineup for the last 2 seasons, vladdy looked great batting after Semien, since he left he is a 120ops hitter, which sure is good, but it’s not close to elite. At this point They need an identity change, they tried to do it in moving Teo a Lourdes but clearly they still lacked leadership and focus. Jays are so far behind the Braves, Phillies, Astros, Orioles, and Rangers that no matter if Berrios was pulled or not or who’s managing they weren’t winning anything this year.
AA teams never under achieved like this group! The Jays were the team on paper again and they jut laid an egg again! This group will only get one more chance before changes are made, you know 3 strikes your out1
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Fire Atkins – fire shapiro – fire carson cistulli – perhaps fire Schneider too… hire Chaim bloom- hire Kenny Williams/Michael hill – find a new analytics guy and try and work out a swap for Machado. Then if they sign joc and jd and maybe have closer to career years for the others they’ll figure it out. All I’m certain of is that the front office needs to go because shatkins is just treading water. Never won in Cleveland and can’t win in Toronto.
There is only one thing that will make Jays fans happy next year, and it’s not firing anybody. Its getting Ohtani. That would be a fair peace offering after an incredibly frustrating season.
“other than maybe that it was an organizational strategy that had been communicated to players.”
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Not a TO fan, nor even much of a hater. But there is so much BS coming out of that story that it offends me.
Where is the “maybe”. This was discussed either the morning of the game or the evening before. Just admit that the FO agreed with it. A L/R switch is defensible, if probably 2-3 innings too early.