Blue Jays manager will finish the season with the team according to GM

According to General Manager Ross Atkins, Blue Jays skipper John Gibbonswill remain with the team until at least the end of the season extinguishing the rumours that the mangers days were numbered.

The future of John Gibbons has been much talked about in recent weeks as many speculated that the manager would be fired before the conclusion of the 2018 campaign. The Blue Jays are currently 55-67 and sit 31.5 games back of the first place Boston Red Sox in the American League East.

The Jays have already begun rebuilding with the focus firmly planted on a youth movement for 2019. Approximately a week ago Gibby spoke candidly about not being sure if he wanted to coach through a total rebuild adding further speculation of his departure.

"“I’m not so sure I want to go through one of those things — a total rebuild, we’ll probably sit down … before it’s all said and done and talk that out.”"

More from Toronto Blue Jays News

• Blue Jays: Alek Manoah on pace to succeed in possible postseason
• Blue Jays: Bradley Zimmer has carved himself a valuable role
• Anthony Bass has been the shutdown reliever the Blue Jays needed
• Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. open to a long-term contract
• Blue Jays: Snapping cold streaks at the right time

Regardless Gibbons will remain with the squad and reassess his options with the Jays brain trust at seasons end. The manager is signed through 2019  and cannot be held totally accountable for the team’s recent demise. General Manager Ross Atkins must share in the blame game having constructed the team that was supposedly going to contend.

The implosion of the Jays starting rotation and the injury to former MVP Josh Donaldson unexpectedly derailed the Jays chances to contend in an always tough AL East.

Gibby has earned the right to be at least part of the conversation when deciding where his future will take him in 2019. Gibby is in his 11th season at the helm of the Jays spread over two stints and has manager 775 games with Toronto. Gibbons is only behind Cito Gaston for most games managed in a Jays uniform. He will unlikely surpass Cito who has 1,316 games under his belt.

Good for Atkins for finally quelling the rumours and saving Gibby from answering questions about it for the next six weeks. I personally hope the manager returns in 2019 and appreciate the attributes Gibby brings to the table on and off the field.