The very first post I made here on this site was back on December 22, 2018. It was entitled “I am about to give up on the Blue Jays.” In that post, I discussed how Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins had made no major improvements to the team. Three years had passed without significant changes. They were handed a World Series contender on a silver platter. Well here we are in 2025 and more of the same is still happening. How is Ross Atkins still the GM of this club?

The Toronto Blue Jays are at a crossroads. They boast a roster brimming with young talent, headlined by generational superstars Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. They’ve made the playoffs twice in the last four years. Yet, a gnawing sense of underachievement lingers. A sense that this team, with all its potential, is consistently falling short. And much of the blame for that underachievement falls squarely at the feet of General Manager Ross Atkins.

It’s time for the Blue Jays to face a harsh reality: Ross Atkins has failed to build a consistent contender. A change in leadership is necessary. This will maximize the potential of this core and capitalize on their rapidly closing championship window.

The Evidence of Underachievement:

Let’s break down the case against Atkins, examining the key areas where his leadership has proven inadequate:

1. Squandered Free Agency and Trade Opportunities:

• The George Springer Conundrum: Signing Springer was a big move, meant to signal a shift into “win-now” mode. But since then, the Blue Jays have largely stood pat, failing to add significant complementary pieces. Springer himself has dealt with injuries and has not consistently performed up to his contract.
• Lack of Impactful Acquisitions: Atkins’ tenure shows a frustrating pattern. He acquires mid-tier players rather than true difference-makers. While these signings haven’t been disastrous, they haven’t moved the needle. Look at the 2023 off-season, signing IKF. They desperately need impact, and instead got more of the same.
• Missed Trade Opportunities: The trade market has offered opportunities to acquire impact players. Atkins has been hesitant to part with top prospects. Even when the return could have significantly bolstered the team, he remains cautious. This conservative approach is understandable, but it’s costing them in the short term.

2. Questionable Roster Construction and In-Game Management (Which he is a part of):

• Bullpen Woes: The Blue Jays bullpen has been a perennial weakness under Atkins. There have only been small bandages, like the Jordan Romano addition. It’s one of the main reasons for the team consistently has blown leads. Atkins, year after year, has struggled to find a long-term fix. Maybe Jeff Hoffman will be a fix but the bullpen still needs help.
• Lack of Depth: The team’s depth has been consistently tested and often found wanting. Injuries to key players have exposed a lack of quality replacements, leading to significant drop-offs in performance. For example, when Bo was hurt in 2023, performance at the SS position dropped drastically. This situation simply can’t happen when you are trying to compete.
• The Schneider Dilemma: While John Schneider’s in-game management deserves scrutiny, Atkins bears responsibility for putting him in that position. The lack of experienced coaching options on the roster highlights Atkins’ failure to build a well-rounded organization. Now I think that John Schneider is the right guy to manage this club. Yet, earlier decisions were made under Charlie Montoyo (AKA Bongo Boy). These involved taking pitchers who were having phenomenal outings out of the game, which led to losing. This falls on the higher ups in my mind.

3. Failure to Develop a Championship Culture:

• Lack of Accountability: There’s a sense that a culture of complacency has taken root within the organization. Mistakes are repeated, weaknesses are unaddressed, and the same issues continue to plague the team.
• Missing Killer Instinct: The Blue Jays often lack the killer instinct necessary to close out games and series. They struggle in high-pressure situations, a reflection of a team that hasn’t fully embraced a championship mentality.
• The Need for a Fresh Voice: After eight years, Atkins’ message is growing stale. A new GM will bring a fresh perspective, inject new energy, and foster a more competitive environment.

4. The Looming End Dates of Guerrero Jr. and Bichette:

• Running Out of Time: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette are two of the most talented players in baseball, but their contracts are ticking down. The Blue Jays have a limited window to build a championship contender around them before they hit free agency. They need to lock up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. long term now, and then visit the possibility of moving Bo in a trade if he will not re-sign.
• Failure to Maximize Their Prime: Atkins has had years to construct a roster. This roster should be capable of competing for a World Series with these two as the cornerstones. He has failed. Their prime years are being wasted on a team that is consistently good, but not great.
• The Risk of Losing Them: If the Blue Jays continue to underachieve, there’s a real risk that Guerrero Jr. will leave in free agency. Bichette also leave in search of a team that can offer them a better chance to win.

The Path Ahead: A Change is Needed

The Blue Jays are not a bad team. They are a good team, consistently hovering around the playoff picture. But “good” isn’t good enough. With the talent on this roster, they should be competing for championships.

Ross Atkins has had ample time to build a World Series contender. He has not done so. The team’s current trajectory suggests that more of the same is on the horizon unless a significant change is made. He was gifted one on a silver platter and pissed it away within one season.

Firing Atkins isn’t just about holding someone accountable for past failures. It’s about securing the future. It’s about recognizing that a new vision is needed. A new approach and a new leader are necessary to unlock the full potential of this team. This will help capitalize on the remaining years of their young stars’ contracts.

The Blue Jays’ championship window is closing. It’s time for ownership to make a difficult decision. They need to move on from Ross Atkins. This will usher in a new era of Blue Jays baseball. One that is defined not by potential, but by championships.

As far as I am concerned, Rogers should have never let Alex Anthopoulos walk away when he did. He should have stayed on as General Manager and President as well. He had built a World Series contending team. He would have had a contract for David Price to stay with the Blue Jays. I’m sure they would have won the World Series in 2016. Maybe they would have won once or twice more after that.

Rogers needs to do the right thing. They should move on from Ross Atkins as the General Manager. They must do it ASAP. The best time would have been to never have hired him. The second best time would have been after the collapse in the playoffs in 2020, or 2022, or 2023. He should have been fired after the disastrous 2024 season. The next best time to fire him is NOW!! Even signing Tony Taters (Anthony Santander) isn’t enough to keep his job.