Blue Jays GM: Gibbons 'very much' part of discussions about team's future

With the Toronto Blue Jays sitting nine games under .500 and well back of contention, manager John Gibbons' job security has come into question as the 2018 season wanes.

However, general manager Ross Atkins refuted that the Blue Jays skipper was to blame for the team's struggles and that the 56-year-old is no longer part of the club's plans moving forward.

"Our relationship is great," Atkins told Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet prior to Tuesday's game against the Boston Red Sox, adding that Gibbons remains "very much" a part of conversations regarding the team's future.

On Monday, Sportsnet's Jeff Blair brought up the possibility of Gibbons being dismissed, stating: "If the chatter is true, this could very well be John Gibbons' final homestand as Blue Jays manager." Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic followed that up, reporting that the Blue Jays "seem destined to move on" from the affable skipper.

Gibbons has managed the Blue Jays for 11 seasons over two separate stints. His most recent tenure - beginning at the start of 2013 - has yielded a 466-455 record (.506 win percentage) and two postseason berths over six campaigns, including a division title in 2015.