After leading the Toronto Blue Jays to back-to-back postseason appearances in 2022 and 2023, John Schneider’s team has experienced a significant decline this season. Consequently, the pressure on him has intensified.
With a record of 69-78, the Blue Jays are not officially eliminated from playoff contention, but they are very close. FanGraphs’ projections show a 0.0 percent chance of making the playoffs, underscoring their near elimination.
As Toronto’s 2024 campaign wraps up, Schneider is seen as a “strong candidate” for dismissal, according to FanSided’s MLB insider Robert Murray. Nevertheless, former Blue Jays manager John Gibbons seems to believe Schneider deserves another chance next year.
Currently, Gibbons serves as the bench coach for the New York Mets. However, he previously managed the Toronto Blue Jays for 11 seasons over two periods, from 2004-08 and 2013-18. During his tenure, he developed a connection with Schneider, who was then part of the Blue Jays’ minor-league coaching staff.
According to McGrath, Gibbons is a “big fan of Schneids” and the former and current Blue Jays managers have “stayed in touch over the years.” This ongoing relationship suggests there’s no animosity, with Gibbons openly supporting his successor.
Gibbons expressed, “Schneider’s a solid baseball guy. I really empathize with him when he faces criticism. Everyone in this field goes through it, and I’ve been there myself. They made it to the postseason—something we would have given anything for in the past.
Although the Blue Jays’ season hasn’t unfolded as expected by fans and sportsbooks, Gibbons is “always rooting” for his “good friend,” Schneider. While it’s nice to hear such supportive and encouraging words, these comments don’t impact how the situation in Toronto will resolve this fall.
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