Blue Jays: What’s the deal with all the firings?

While there hasn’t been many changes to the roster or coaching staff in Toronto, the organization has let go of a lot of employees already this offseason.

When things don’t go the way they’re supposed to in professional sports, that often results in someone, or several people, losing their jobs. The offseason is still incredibly young for the Blue Jays, and it hasn’t even technically begun, but it’s clear there will be some changes. Free agency will officially open five days after the World Series has concluded, and there is still a Game 7 to play in the ALCS, so it’ll be a little while yet.

However, the front office hasn’t wasted any time in making changes throughout the organization, even if they’re not on the roster, or within the main coaching staff. We learned earlier this month that as many as 23 employees were relieved of their positions, including two from the training staff. On Friday we also learned that long time employee, Len Frejilich, was let go from his position as the visiting clubhouse manager.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about Frejilich is that he was a “day one” employee, and has been working in the organization for many years. By all accounts, he was well liked and did a very good job of his role. We don’t know all the inner workings of the organization, and perhaps there was more to it than what’s been made public, but to me it looks like “change for the sake of change”. Sometimes that can make sense, but in this case I’m not sure that it does.

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After seeing a few tweets from notable Blue Jays writers and fans, it was clear that Frejlich is incredibly well liked. Assuming there is no major issue here, does it benefit the Blue Jays to make changes like this?

I’m not so sure.

When there is a change in front office, like the one the Blue Jays made before the 2016 season, it’s not uncommon for a new leadership group to want to build their own team. That’s perfectly normal and even understandable, but does it need to trickle down to every department?

If the Blue Jays had decided to make some changes in the coaching staff, I don’t think anyone would have been surprised, especially after a disappointing season on offence. However, these type of changes, especially ones like Frejilich, come across a little odd, and there has been a fair amount of criticism regarding the decisions. If you don’t believe me, check out the replies to Mike Wilner’s text on the subject.

At the end of the day, a change like this will be quickly forgotten by the public, but it’s something that won’t necessarily sit well with some in the organization. For a front office that had done a good job of navigating the transition from the previous front office, this will leave a little bit of a sour taste for some, even if it doesn’t show up on our television screens.

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