Gibbons’ time in Toronto close to an end?
You would need a detailed road map to trace John Gibbons’ path through the minors en route to the big leagues.
Along the way, the Blue Jays manager certainly became wellversed in reading the signs.
So don’t think for a moment he isn’t aware the end is near for him in Toronto, as has been speculated of late. What is new on the topic of Gibbons’ future, however, is his own skepticism at being a part of the uncertain future of the team.
“Truthfully, a full breakdown, you know I have to admit I don’t know if I’m interested in that,” Gibbons said before Friday’s 7-0 blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Rays. “But we’ll see. I’m still here. I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”
Gibbons was re-iterating comments he made earlier in the day to MLB Radio when he suggested the team may be better to “have a young, fresh face in here.”
Whatever happens, Gibbons said he’d prefer to discuss his future — and more likely an exit strategy — with general manager Ross Atkins and president Mark Shapiro before leaving. There wouldn’t be much sense to jettison him before this season is over, but who knows where the mindset is regarding the current mess?
“As long as I’ve been here, I’ve heard (rumours of being fired) many a times,” Gibbons said. “One time it was accurate. You just deal with it. It’s kind of part of the ... job description.”
With one more year left on his contract, Gibbons would gladly take the money owed to him and enjoy life back home in San Antonio. His relationship with management has been strong, but the 56-year-old jokes about the analytics age embraced by the current brain trust.
“(My future) has been kind of hanging over (him) ever since we got a new regime here,” Gibbons said.
The other part that is surely weighing on Gibbons — though he has never said it publicly — is how difficult the last two seasons have been. Injuries, an aging roster and two off-seasons without significant improvement have made his task next to impossible. However it goes down, Gibbons already seems to be at peace.
“Oh yeah, I’m fine with it,” Gibbons said. “I’ve loved my time here in Toronto. How many guys get a chance to come back and do it a second time? I’m confident in what I do. I’ve always given my best here, but this is a result-driven business and that’s part of it.”
PERFECTION?
Does Blake Snell have a perfect game in him? We may never know.
In his second start since returning from the DL with shoulder fatigue, the young Rays lefty pitched five perfect innings against the Jays Friday, striking out six. But Snell was on a strict pitch count and threw 47 before his night was done.
“He’s one of the bright young guys in the game,” Gibbons said. “He was pretty impressive tonight.”
So what happened with the first batter faced by reliever Jake Faria in the sixth? Luke Maile beat out an infield single, one of just three Jays hits on the night.
Toronto starter Marco Estrada, who flirted with a no-hitter last weekend in Seattle, exited after 51/3 innings, allowing five runs on five hits and a pair of walks. The five earned runs matched a season high for Estrada.