The right change is needed

Replacing Atkins with internal candidate could just entrench problems

- GREGOR CHISHOLM

As the Blue Jays continue their nosedive to the bottom of the American League standings, the focus has shifted from the field to a beleaguered front office that is quickly running out of time.

Everywhere you go these days, people are talking about Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins. In coffee shops and restaurants, on talk radio and through social media, the No. 1 baseball topic is job security - or the lack thereof- for the architects of a failed team.

The Jays entered this season expecting to contend for a World Series. Nearly halfway through the year, they are instead sitting dead last in the division and 6/2 games back of the third wild card. Their odds of making the playoffs have slipped to 3.8 per cent.

Toronto baseball fans are understandably angry and looking for someone to blame. Members of the media, myself included, have been doing the same and since the underperforming players can't be fired, it's only natural that the spotlight shines on those responsible for bringing them here.

Atkins, who is in his ninth season, has been given ample time and resources to make this work. Under his leadership, the Jays have seen increasingly diminished returns during each of the last two years and with most core players set to hit free agency by the end of 2025, the window of opportunity has started to slam shut.