John Gibbons to return as Blue Jays manager in 2016

Blue Jays president talks about his decision to name Tony LaCava interim GM and says John Gibbons is definitely coming back as manager.

TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays may have lost their general manager, but their field boss isn’t going anywhere.

John Gibbons will manage the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016, team president Mark Shapiro said Monday.

The Blue Jays won the AL East under Gibbons in 2015, going 93-69 in the regular season before beating the Texas Rangers in the ALDS and losing to the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS.

Gibbons has a 555-541 record in two stints as the Blue Jays’ manager. He first managed the team from 2004-2008, never finishing higher than second place. Former GM Alex Anthopoulos, who left the Blue Jays last week, re-hired Gibbons before the 2013 season. The sides agreed to an unusual contract that ensures Gibbons is never a ‘lame‐duck’ manager. Every January 1, Gibbons’ contract becomes guaranteed for the following year and another option is added to the deal.

Gibbons, 53, was a former first round pick of the New York Mets who played in 18 MLB games from 1984-86. He collected 11 hits, including one home run, before beginning a coaching career that eventually led him to Toronto.

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