Back-to-back appearances in the American League Championship Series have resulted in a two-year contract extension for Blue Jays manager John Gibbons. Gibbons' contract was set to expire at the end of this season, but the two sides are in the process of finalizing a new deal, a source has told MLB.com. TSN's Steve Phillips was the first to report the framework of the deal, which includes a club option for 2020. The Blue Jays have not confirmed the agreement.
The 54-year-old Gibbons began his second stint managing the Blue Jays in 2013. Toronto has since gone 339-309, including 271-221 in the last three years with one AL East title.
"It's common knowledge we've been talking about some things and made good progress," Gibbons said following his club's 5-2 win over the Orioles on Tuesday in Sarasota, Fla. "Hopefully it all falls into place, but you know, these guys have been good to me. I've got no complaints. But we've been talking about it."
Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins provided the first clue that a new deal would be forthcoming during last year's end-of-the-season news conference. When asked about Gibbons' job security, Atkins responded that not only would his manager return for 2017 but that the club would also reach out to start negotiations on a new deal.
It was with Gibbons' blessing that the Blue Jays initially put those contract talks on hold so the front office could focus on more pressing issues. Toronto had nine free agents and multiple holes on the 25-man roster that needed to be filled, and during an offseason that was slow to develop, some of those moves didn't happen until the final week before Spring Training.
Attempts to improve the ballclub are ongoing, but with the vast majority of the work taken care of, the focus has now shifted back to Gibbons. The native of Texas was hired by former GM Alex Anthopoulos prior to the 2013 season, but he has since built a strong working relationship with the club's new front office. Atkins frequently cites Gibbons' in-game decisions and ability to manage the personalities inside Toronto's clubhouse as some of his biggest strengths.
"It hasn't been a driving force for me because I think we'll get something done," Gibbons said earlier this spring. "But there was a lot going on this winter, too, so I just kind of laid low, you know?
"We've talked. We laid the groundwork. I told Ross, I said, 'Listen, you got a lot going on, man. In due time, we'll get that done.' We've got a good working relationship, you know? We proved that last year. ... I enjoy working with him. I think he feels the same way."