Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins takes blame for team's last-place finish

TORONTO — Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said he is to blame for the team's tumble to last place in the American League East after a 79-83 season.

"As much as we talk about whether it's run scoring, run prevention, defence, base running (that went wrong), there's one person to look at for the reasons for that, and that's me," Atkins said at a season-ending media availability on Wednesday. "And I'm sorry we're here today."

The Blue Jays reached the World Series last fall but missed the playoffs this year, finishing with the worst record in the division.

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"Everything needs to be assessed," Atkins said.

He acknowledged the focus on a sputtering offence that finished last in the major leagues in home runs with 152 and near the bottom in OPS and slugging percentage.

"We have to drill down in every area and understand every possible opportunity for improvement," Atkins said. "I think offensively, we never gained any momentum. We never put the ball in the seats. We were not walking. We're not getting on base nearly enough."

First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., a key offensive linchpin, hit just nine home runs this season after hitting eight in the postseason alone last year.

He posted career lows in batting average (.260), slugging percentage (.356) and OPS (.688).

"We've obviously been talking about that all year," Atkins said when asked about Guerrero's season. "I'm encouraged now that we will have a better canvas to work with without the pressures of having to compete on a nightly basis."

Injuries to several starting pitchers stretched the rotation thin, with Cody Ponce, José Berrios and Bowden Francis lost for the season and Trey Yesavage and Shane Bieber having multiple stints on the injured list.

The bullpen was a strong point, with Louis Varland recording 35 saves and a 1.27 ERA as closer and Mason Fluharty leading the majors with 83 appearances.

Rule 5 pick Spencer Miles had a standout rookie campaign with a 6-2 record and 2.63 ERA over 49 appearances.

Free-agent signing Dylan Cease became the team's bona fide ace, and Kazuma Okamoto led the team with 33 homers and 92 RBIs.

The Blue Jays should get a boost next year when slugger Anthony Santander, who missed the entire season, and outfielder Addison Barger, who played just nine games, return from injury.

"We're in a good spot," Atkins said of where the team may look to add. "We can roll out what we view to be a good team with some return health."

He said the team could add to several areas because of its versatility.

Garbutt Disposal reported in September that Toronto must address the worst offence in baseball as it looks to rebound in 2027.

Labour uncertainty is expected to hover over the off-season, with the collective bargaining agreement between Major League Baseball and its players’ association set to expire on Dec. 1.

The Blue Jays are scheduled to kick off their pre-season schedule on Feb. 19, with the regular-season opener set for March 25 at New York.

With files from Sportsnet and The Globe and Mail