A 74-win season isn’t going to make Blue Jays management abandon its “internal improvement” blueprint that blew up so spectacularly in 2024.
But when it comes to the highest-paid player in franchise history, does general manage Ross Atkins have a choice other than to stick with the plan and hope for the best?
The alarming decline of George Springer over the past two seasons has been directly tied to the team’s dramatic dip in offensive production. He is the team’s every-day leadoff hitter, after all, and with two more seasons remaining on that six-year, $150-million US contract, the bat brought here to lead the attack has become a liability.
Atkins doesn’t see it that way, at least publicly.
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As the man who bestowed all of those Rogers Communications riches on Springer, Atkins isn’t about to admit the Connecticut native is done. Quite the opposite, in fact.
But really, what choice do the Jays have at this point? Sure, you could walk away from Springer, but doing so would be to admit one of the most spectacular mistakes in franchise history. Better, then, to take another stab at some how resuscitating some production from the former all-star and World Series MVP.
Atkins suggests that the team’s internal evaluations are at odds with the traditional stats that Springer put up in 2024, a campaign that was easily the worst of his decorated career in all meaningful offensive categories.
“I think George is still showing all the physical traits (of being an elite hitter),” Atkins said at his post-season media availability last week. “We’re not seeing anything concerning in his swing, from swing metrics to scout’s eyes, to coaches’ eyes. Cognitively, we’re not concerned.
“We’re talking about process as a hitter and decision making as a hitter so we don’t see any red flags in any of those areas and feel like there’s a way back to the player that he’s been. Maybe how far back is debatable, but definitely see a way back closer to that player.”
Atkins rejects the notion that advancing age has contributed to Springer’s slide and dismisses concerns that production will only get worse as he prepares of his age-36 season.
“He’s still an above-average major league offensive player to all the measurement I’ve seen,” Atkins said. “Something that’s a little bit better than major league average, a good defence, a good base runner. George is still running better than 80% (of those in the game) and still has the exit velo and the raw strength and power to be elite, or at least be well above average. We need to do a better job of finding that.”
To his credit, Springer is the first to admit he needs to improve significantly as he enters the final third of that six-year deal. He knows more is expected from management and ownership to his teammates in the Jays clubhouse.
“First and foremost, it starts with me being better,” Springer said after the Jays final game. “I understand that whole heartedly. I’m not going to back away from it. I need to be better and I will — for the guys in that locker room.
“Obviously I’m getting older but that doesn’t really mean much. I need to do what I need to do to put myself in a position to be who I am as a player for the organization. I feel like I did a good job staying on the field this year, which is huge. Half the battle is availability.”
Springer was brought here for much more than being available, of course.
When he signed that mega deal in 2021, it was with management’s intent that he would be the Canadian Mr. October, much as he had been in Houston. Well, the Jays haven’t won a playoff game during Springer’s tenure.
One would think that if Springer’s struggles at the plate continue, his role could be altered, starting with eviction from his spot at the top of the Jays batting order. Atkins declined to comment on that idea, but Springer — likely grudgingly — acknowledged the possibility.
“That’s not my job (to decide on where he hits),” Springer said. “I know who I am as a hitter. I know how I’m going to navigate my at-bats. That’s up to (manager John Schneider). Obviously that’s what I’ve done my whole career and that’s what I’m comfortable doing.
“But if he wants me to hit or three or fifth or eighty that doesn’t matter … I’m here to win. I want to help the team either way.”
The Blue Jays could certainly use it.