In reaffirming his confidence in General Manager Ross Atkins, Blue Jays President Mark Shapiro stressed the need for enhanced transparency and improved communication with the team’s players. The backing comes in the wake of the team’s third elimination in the initial playoff round within four years, which occurred a week prior to his season-end media address.
Shapiro shouldered the blame for falling short of aspirations, highlighting the need for a meticulous examination of the preceding season in order to create a strategy for the upcoming one. His words underscored the organization’s steadfast commitment to restoring a world championship back to Canada. The aim is clear: to enhance the team’s performance in the next season and make progress.
The Blue Jays President initiated the half-an-hour session by stressing the disappointment the team has caused its avid supporters. The subpar performance didn’t meet any expectations, and for that, he apologized.
The team seemed promising with the onboarding of key defensive upgrades and a solid pitching rotation in spring training. Unfortunately, the Blue Jays’ offensive prowess was never realized. With few instances of clutch hitting, they teetered around the playoff cusp for the majority of the season.
The team barely secured a playoff position until the penultimate day of the regular season. The playoffs, however, witnessed a lacklustre performance from the team’s bats, resulting in another short-lived stint of merely two games.
Shapiro acknowledged the need for better performance on the basepaths and a more efficient offence. He also cited the need for increased communication and preparation in the team’s strategizing process.
A point of contention following the Toronto team’s elimination was the decision to bench Jose Berrios in Game 2. Despite the pitcher’s remarkable performance, he was pulled off after the third inning. This decision left many players taken aback.
Ross Atkins, who has served as GM for nearly eight years, will be back in 2024, as confirmed by Shapiro. Atkins played a pivotal role in guiding the Blue Jays to the 2016 AL Championship Series and in overseeing the team’s rebuilding phase until 2019.
The Blue Jays managed to return to the playoffs in 2020, a significant accomplishment considering the rapid turnaround for a major-league team. Despite not being entirely satisfied, Shapiro cited the success of securing a playoff spot for the past three out of four years as a positive progression.
As for the forthcoming season, Shapiro reveals there have been preliminary discussions concerning payroll with the team ownership. Boasting the support from their fans, the team surpassed three million in home attendance. The main goal for 2024 remains winning the East Division title and potentially earning a first-round bye.
In reflecting on the past season, Shapiro acknowledged the challenges faced and frustration experienced. Yet, the team still managed to secure 89 wins—a testament to their effort. Nonetheless, the Blue Jays have been burdened with a discouraging statistic: seven consecutive post-season losses since the 2016 ALCS.
The Blue Jays last tasted the triumph of securing the World Series in 1993, a feat they are eager to achieve again. As the leadership looks back on the lessons learned from this past season, the commitment to bettering their performance and meeting the expectations of both the team and their fans is unmistakable.
