Gibbons calls contract extension ‘nice reward’
DUNEDIN, FLA.— John Gibbons was obviously pleased with his contract extension — two more seasons, plus a club option for 2020.
“It’s always a nice reward,” said the Blue Jays manager, who opted this year to forgo the rollover contract he had previously and negotiate a new contract with Jays general manager Ross Atkins and team president Mark Shapiro.
“I wasn’t obsessed with it. This organization has been great to me, and you never know how long these things last (manager positions). Coming into it, with a new regime and all, I never knew what to expect at first. I’m glad to be with it still, Toronto has been my whole major league manager career … you sometimes think a guy from Texas, it doesn’t happen a lot that way. It’s been great and I’m very excited.”
Gibbons, the second-winningest manager in Jays franchise history, spoke of how his relationship with Shapiro and Atkins has become solid, both on and off the field, after humble beginnings.
“I met Mark (Shapiro) in spring training one year when I was with the Royals,” said Gibbons, who was an assistant coach with the Royals between 2009 and 2012, just after his first managerial stint with the Jays.
“That’s all I knew, and I hadn’t met Ross back then. But they’re two good guys, we’re having fun together.”
SECOND TO CITO: Gibbons, who said discussions about the new contract were opened last fall, and completed here in spring training, has compiled a 644-614 record as Jays manager — second only to Cito Gaston’s 894-837 mark.
“To be honest with you, I never thought of it much. I know I’ve been around here for a long time,” Gibbons said.
“Cito’s the other guy and he’s from San Antonio too, so that’s pretty cool to me. One day we’ll see where it all ends up, we haven’t won a championship here and that’s a goal. Someday I’m sure I’ll look back on it all.”
UPBEAT ON TRAVIS: Gibbons was optimistic about second baseman Devon Travis being prepared to start with the Jays when they open the regular season April 3 in Baltimore.
But there’s a growing sense that Travis — who is recovering from off season knee surgery — could start the season in the minors, should he need more time in the field, or more at-bats to bring his offence up to par.
“We’re running out of time here,” Gibbons said of spring training, which ends March 29, before moving for two games in Montreal.
“Devon is moving in the right direction. We’ll determine if he’s ready enough, if he needs more at-bats … we don’t want to rush things and get any more set backs.”
ESTRADA HAPPY: Marco Estrada struck out five over five innings, and at one time, retired 12 straight batters, in his start against Detroit Wednesday.
Estrada, who did not have good command of his changeup and other pitches in his previous start, was much happier with his effort Wednesday.
“I should have what, one or two more starts (in spring training),” Estrada said. “I’m happy where I’m at, so just continue to work on it, get out and pitch.”