John Gibbons will return as Toronto Blue Jays manager in 2016
By Tim Haberin
The Toronto Blue Jays will retain manager John Gibbons for the 2016 season, according to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports.
The team’s leadership has been in a state of flux recently, with former Cleveland Indians executive Mark Shapiro taking over as president and former GM Alex Anthopoulos departing after refusing a contract extension.
Shapiro tried to re-solidify some of the organization’s hierarchy today, naming former assistant GM Tony LaCava as the Jays’ interim general manager and backing Gibbons to stay on as manager in 2016.
As illustrated by Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, Gibbons has a rather unconventional contract arrangement with the club. Unless he is dismissed, at the beginning of each calendar year his deal becomes guaranteed for the next season and an additional option is added. Under these terms, Gibbons avoids becoming a “lame-duck” skipper.
Gibbons has managed the Blue Jays for eight seasons across two separate stints. Overall, Toronto has posted a 555-541 (.506) mark under his watch.
The 2015 campaign was Gibbons’ most successful yet, as he led the squad to a 93-69 record, the AL East division title and its first postseason appearance since 1993. The Jays defeated the Texas Rangers in five games in the ALDS before falling to the eventual World Series champion Kansas City Royals in six games in the ALCS.
The Blue Jays expect to stay just as competitive in 2016, but they have several big questions to answer this offseason. Starting pitcher David Price, acquired at the trade deadline to be the team’s ace, is set to become a free agent. It also remains to be seen how Shapiro takes to his new role as Toronto’s primary decision-maker.
Regardless of what changes may or may not come, John Gibbons will once again be in the dugout for the Toronto Blue Jays, hoping to steer the franchise back to the postseason for the second straight year.
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