Blue Jays' Gibbons: 'We're where we should be the way we've been playing'

The Toronto Blue Jays, with their hopes of contending this season running out quickly, are still mired in last place in the American League East in mid-July.

While some teams can blame bad luck or misfortune for their poor spot in the standings, Blue Jays manager John Gibbons feels the team is rightly deserving of its disappointing ranking.

"Really, the way we've been playing, we're where we should be the way we've been playing in all phases of the game," Gibbons told Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith after Toronto lost 6-5 to the Detroit Tigers following a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the 11th that also lost them the three-game series.

Gibbons' harsh assessment isn't entirely wrong.

The Blue Jays' once potent offense has completely evaporated this season, and the club has scored less runs this season than only four teams: the Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and the San Diego Padres after ranking ninth last season.

Their heralded infield defense has also fallen off slightly in 2017 as defensive superstars Josh Donaldson and Troy Tulowitzki - who combined for just 23 errors in 2016 - are already at 14 this season.

Finally, while their rotation's 3.64 ERA is currently the fourth best in MLB, their bullpen is ranked 22nd with a 4.11 ERA.

If the Blue Jays do decide to waive the white flag and sell off their stars, however, the Milwaukee Brewers may be one of the first to call as the club is reportedly interested in acquiring starter J.A. Happ.