Should the Blue Jays Consider Replacing GM Ross Atkins?

Lack of Imagination

Given we’ve seen some of the best players in the game change hands via trade recently, including young superstar OF Juan Soto and ace Luis Castillo, impact players that could dramatically improve the Blue Jays are available via trade.

For example, Shohei Ohtani could be available via trade from the LA Angels this offseason after expressing frustration with that club after another bad record (73-89) this year, missing the playoffs for an eighth consecutive season. A free agent after next season, Ohtani wouldn’t come cheap, but he solves two key issues: another top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher after Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman and a left-handed power bat who could improve the balance of the batting order.

But does Atkins have the guts or the imagination to make a trade like this happen? Judging by his record to date as the Blue Jays GM, I would say no.

In fact, he blew it at the trade deadline this year by not adding any high-leverage, swing-and-miss arms to the bullpen when pitchers like Raisel Iglesias, Josh Hader, Taylor Rogers, Chris Martin and David Robertson were all clearly available.

Instead, Atkins added Anthony Bass, who hasn’t converted any of his eight save opportunities since 2020, and who allowed three runs on three hits, with no outs after facing just three batters in the top of the eighth inning of the game-two collapse in the ALWC against the Mariners. He’d entered the game with the Jays up 9-5 but imploded.