Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said the feeling of the loss was “difficult” for everyone involved, just days after his team was eliminated from the playoffs in Game 2.
The Blue Jays could have aspired to the World Series, but instead they ended up falling in two straight games to the Seattle Mariners, without recording a single win.
“We sat here five days ago feeling great after a great run and we believed we had the team to win, and we didn’t,” Atkins said during a press briefing at the Rogers Center on Tuesday. did.”
“So it was a disappointing result for us on Saturday. »
After a shutout loss in Game 1 on Friday, the Blue Jays took an 8–1 lead after five innings in Game 2. 10-9 win.
The Mariners advanced to the next round to face the Houston Astros in the American League Division Series. The Blue Jays themselves are looking for positivity and looking forward to next season.
“I think the organization is in very healthy shape,” Atkins said. I haven’t thought about the best way to summarize the entire season, but I do think about the general state of the organization. ,
The combination of the team is strong with a young core. Most of the key players are still under contract. The Blue Jays will be able to spend the offseason if need be.
One of the priorities will be to determine whether the interim tag will be removed from John Schneider’s managerial title. The Blue Jays went 46–28 on a 92-game winning streak after replacing Charlie Montoyo in July.
“I think it will be very difficult for us to find a better one than John Schneider,” Atkins said. But out of respect for the organization, out of respect for John Schneider, I’d like to take the time to work with him on this process. ,
Canada’s only Major League Baseball team returns to the playoffs this year after missing the playoffs by a narrow margin in 2021.
Seattle became the third team in Major League Baseball history to come back from a seven-point deficit to win a playoff game.
The Blue Jays have laid down some solid building blocks for a franchise that hasn’t reached the American League Division Series since 2016.
Eliane Manoh emerged as a rotation ace and Jordan Romano of Markham, Ont., cemented his place as a late-game specialist. Youngsters Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bechette again posted strong numbers to help fuel the team’s attack.
Atkins must decide what it wants to do with free agent Ross Stripling, who solidified the rotation when Hyun-Jin Ryu was lost for the season.
Another left-handed hitter, relief depth and adding depth to the rotation will be priorities this offseason.
“I feel very comfortable about the development of this group that we have and I’m excited to continue improving it,” Atkins said.
The Blue Jays have lost eight of their last nine playoff games. Toronto last won the World Series in 1993.
Atkins also said that outfielder George Springer suffered a concussion on Saturday and a dislocated shoulder. He added that Springer was “recovering well” and needed to be cleared to travel fast enough.
Springer was hurt when he collided with Bechet as he was trying to catch a ball in center infield. Bichette was shaken, but remained in the game while Springer was wheeled off the field on a golf cart.
Atkins said that “there is nothing to worry about in the long term” regarding Springer’s injuries. The 33-year-old Springer has four years remaining on his six-year, $150 million contract.