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As the 2025 AL East Division champion Toronto Blue Jays wait to learn whether they will face the New York Yankees or Boston Red Sox in their AL division series, let’s take a moment to recognize general manager Ross Atkins and field manager John Schneider.
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Unfortunately, neither has been given their proper respect with many calling for the head of each at various times the past few seasons.
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Perhaps the perception will change. It should, but it probably won’t because now both Atkins and Schneider will be judged on how well, or poorly, the Jays perform in the post-season.
A year ago, the Jays finished last in the AL East, when they won 74 games. This year, 94 wins, for a 20-game improvement.
George Springer was all but forgotten, but there he was Sunday being serenaded to chants of “MVP” in the aftermath of Toronto’s 13-4 win over the Tampa Bay Rays to clinch the AL East title and the bye into the ALDS.
“They (players) did it all year and it wasn’t just one guy,’’ beamed Schneider. “You feel so good for so many people.’’
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Those people include the manager and the general manager.
Atkins acquired Shane Bieber at the trade deadline and a couple of bullpen arms in Seranthony Dominguez and Louis Varland. Still, fans were pining for more help in the pen and will be on pins and needles when three outs are required in the ninth inning, knowing Jeff Hoffman has had his moments of blowing saves.
Free-agent off-season signings of Max Scherzer and Anthony Santander haven’t panned out, but both will have a chance to make a difference in the playoffs.
There’s a lot to like about this group, but at the same time there are some areas of concern, whether it involves Bo Bichette’s wonky knee or Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s silent bat.
Springer’s re-emergence has been interesting to follow, to say the least.
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Once he recovered from the pitch he took off the side of his head in Baltimore and once he was placed into the leadoff spot in the batting order, Springer took off, producing his best season with the Blue Jays and one of the finest in his career.
In previous seasons, Atkins traded for Daulton Varsho in a move many panned, and he also got ahead of the curve when he extended Alejandro Kirk when just as many questioned that decision.
Arriving at this point and winning the AL East, regarded as baseball’s best division, would not have been achieved without Atkins and Schneider.
It’s about time each was given their flowers.
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