Blue Jays sign John Schneider to three-year contract extension

The interim tag attached to John Schneider is no more.
On Friday, the Toronto Blue Jays officially signed Schneider to a three-year contract extension that runs through 2025. The 42-year-old’s deal also features a club option for the 2026 season.

OFFICIAL: We’ve agreed to terms with John Schneider on a three-year contract as Manager with a team option for the 2026 season!
Congratulations, Skip pic.twitter.com/F4V35CDakL
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 21, 2022

The move was widely expected after Schneider led the franchise to its first playoff berth since 2020. He was named interim manager on July 13 after the team parted ways with Charlie Montoyo amid a disappointing 46-42 start.
Shortly after the announcement was made, the former catcher issued a statement via social media, expressing his gratitude for being granted the opportunity to continue managing Canada’s lone MLB franchise. It is something he has been waiting for his entire coaching career.

A Blue Jay since Day One pic.twitter.com/di9jNzDnJB
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 21, 2022

The Blue Jays finished 46-28 under Schneider, the third-best record in the American League during that span. They were also the highest-scoring offence in the league, averaging the most runs per game (5.05).
Overall, the team went 92-70 this past season, good for second in the AL East Division and first in the wild-card race. As a result, Rogers Centre hosted its first playoff series since 2016 against the Seattle Mariners, who won 2-0.
Much of the fanbase criticized Schneider’s decisions in Game 2 of that series, particularly when right-hander Kevin Gausman was removed in the sixth inning with his club leading 8-1. As everyone remembers, the Mariners ultimately stormed back to win 10-9 stunningly.
Gausman, however, expressed his happiness about Schneider’s contract extension by quote retweeting Toronto’s original post. So it appears he doesn’t feel any ill will toward his manager regarding the controversial decision.

Happy to have Schneids back!! https://t.co/cG25l0Ribt
— Kevin Gausman (@KevinGausman) October 21, 2022

With Schneider extended through at least 2025, general manager Ross Atkins’ focus now shifts to improving a roster that won 92 games in 2022.
POINTSBET IS LIVE IN ONTARIO
…

Read More

Author: Thomas Hall / Blue Jays Nation

The offense hits on all cylinders as Blue Jays spank the Phillies 18-11

As our old friend John Gibbons tweeted tonight, the Phillies are glad they play in the NL East and not the AL East.

Phillies glad they play in NL East and not AL East #BlueJays
— John Gibbons (@johngibbons05) September 21, 2022

The Blue Jays continued their September success against quality opponents as they posted a football-esque score in a win over the Phillies 18-11 tonight behind their potent offense. The Phillies are in a very similar position as the Blue Jays; they currently sit in the final Wild Card spot in the NL. These games still mean a lot to Philly, so the Blue Jays going in there and running up the numbers is a big statement against another playoff-level team.
Bo Bichette started the month carrying this offense on his shoulders, and now we’re seeing the lineup turn more complete, as all facets of the offense have found ways to contribute. All nine starters in the lineup recorded at lease one hit, and the Jays had a base runner in every inning.
For the night, Toronto had ten extra-base hits. Five of those came from the first batter of the inning, and better yet, all five of those leadoff hits came around to score. The bottom line is that the Blue Jays attacked early and often on whichever Phillies pitcher stood on the mound, and they didn’t strand many runners as has been the case many times this season.
It was all Jays from the start, as Matt Chapman put Toronto ahead 3-0 with a 3-run home run the 1st inning. The Jays were aided heavily by the first of two errors from Phillies SS Bryson Stott. Vladimir Guerrer …

Read More

Author: Evan Stack / Blue Jays Nation

Ross Stripling’s excellent outing leads the Blue Jays to a sweep over the Phillies

This is Ross Stripling’s team. And now, John Schneider’s as well.

The Blue Jays were clicking on all cylinders tonight as they completed a two-game sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies with a 8-2 win on Wednesday night.
Stripling had one of his best outings as a Blue Jay, retiring 18 of the first 19 batters he faced. Much like Jose Berrios last night, Stripling felt comfortable with every pitch in his arsenal: the fastball, changeup, curveball, and even an occasional slider.
Stripling’s final line: 7 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6K’s. His efficiency was also noteworthy, only needing 81 pitches to get through his night. 57 of those were strikes.

Ross Stripling has been so money for this rotation so far. The way he’s stepped up has been a huge boost.
— Ricky Romero (@Ricky_Ro24) July 14, 2022

Maybe even more impressive was the offense, which went up against Phillies ace Zack Wheeler. Wheeler came into tonight’s game only allowing five home runs all season, but the Jays weren’t hearing any of that. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Teoscar Hernandez took Wheeler deep in the 4th inning, with Guerrero’s home run being a unique one. He hit a slider low-and-away with one hand. Most hitters would “poke” that ball into play for a wimpy single or a groundout, but since Vlad is Vlad, he hit this one 397 feet. Hernandez would hit another home run in the 8th inning off of Phillies rookie Bubby Rossman, bringing his season total to 11.
Bo Bichette and Raimel Tapia also contributed RBIs tonight. The only disappointing thing the Jay …

Read More

Author: Evan Stack / Blue Jays Nation