Blue Jays fans might owe Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins an apology

Folks, let's have a heart-to-heart about the Toronto Blue Jays.

Remember when fans were up in arms, calling for the heads of President Mark Shapiro and General Manager Ross Atkins? The 2024 season was a disaster based on the talent on the roster that led to a 74-88 record and last-place finish in the AL East.

The front office was under fire, and the future looked bleak.

But here we are in April 2025, and suddenly, the narrative has flipped. The Blue Jays' future is shining brighter than a summer day at Rogers Centre.

So maybe... just maybe... it's time for fans to reconsider their stance on Shapiro and Atkins.​

First, let's talk about the blockbuster deal that has everyone buzzing. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the face of the franchise, inked a jaw-dropping 14-year, $500 million extension.

This isn't just a contract; it's a statement.

It says the Blue Jays are serious about building a contender and keeping their stars north of the border. ​

But it's not just about Guerrero. The front office has been busy assembling a supporting cast that complements their superstar. They brought in Anthony Santander, a power-hitting outfielder who adds much-needed pop to the lineup and has been among the top-three MLB outfielders in home runs over the past three seasons.

Additionally, Andrés Giménez appears to be resurrecting some of his previous success as a... cleanup hitter!? Alejandro Kirk is locked up, Alan Roden looks good, and Arjun Nimmala is secured as the shortstop of the future if/when Bo Bichette leaves. Seeing Guerrero, Giménez, Kirk, and Santander in the center of the order for the future is a beautiful sight.

And let's not overlook the pitching staff. The addition of veteran Max Scherzer brought experience and a winning mentality to the rotation in the short term while demonstrating their ability to find guys who know how to win. Pair that with the development of young arms like Bowden Francis and Ricky Tiedemann, and you've got a staff that can compete with the best.

However, it would be remiss to point out that, in spite of Nimmala being exciting, the likely loss of Bichette is going to sting. The Blue Jays also need to answer questions at third base as well and make some slight improvements to the bullpen But progress has been made.

Now imagine if they sign some combination of Kyle Schwarber, Trevor Story (opt-out), and/or Kirby Yates this coming offseason and it's pretty exciting.

Now we get it. Fans had every right to be frustrated after 2024 season and offseason. We wrote about it.

But there's also no denying that the moves made by Shapiro and Atkins have positioned this team for success. The core is solid, the future is bright and it's time to give credit where credit is due.​

So, fellow Blue Jays fans, maybe it's time to put down the pitchforks and pick up a fork to eat a slice of that humble pie on the counter. S

Shapiro and Atkins have weathered the storm and come out on the other side with a team that has reasons for real optimism.

The Toronto Blue Jays' future is bright, thanks in large part to them.