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Blue Jays Manager Put On Notice Amid Club’s Slow Start

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jake Elman | Last updated May 9, 2025 12:21 PM ET

The Toronto Blue Jays already figured out their long-term face of the franchise, inking All-Star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero to a 14-year, $500 million extension last month.

Whether or not manager John Schneider will be around to see Guerrero’s next playoff game, however, remains to be seen.

Things aren’t trending well for Schneider, whose Blue Jays enter play Friday a disappointing 17-20. Although Toronto is only four games behind the New York Yankees for first place, expectations were far higher for an organization that began the season with a payroll nearing $240 million.

Could the Blue Jays fire Schneider, the Blue Jays’ manager since 2022? Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer certainly believes so, citing Toronto’s recent 5-12 stretch and their 2024 last-place finish.

“Making Schneider, 45, even more of an easy target is his contract, which is only guaranteed through the end of this season,” Rymer wrote on Friday. “What’s more, the clock is almost certainly ticking.”

The Pittsburgh Pirates made the season’s first managerial change on Thursday, dismissing Derek Shelton after a 12-26 start. Colorado Rockies skipper Bud Black may not be far behind, given the team’s historic 6-31 record, and calls are quickly mounting for the Baltimore Orioles to fire Brandon Hyde.

Unfortunately for Schneider, it’d be hard to fault any Blue Jays skeptical the team will turn things around. Toronto’s 26 home runs are tied for the fewest in the majors, and their .674 OPS is well below the league average of .707.

Guerrero is the sole Blue Jays hitter worth at least 1.0 bWAR. Offseason acquisition Anthony Santander owns a .196 average, a .611 OPS, and -0.4 bWAR through the first 36 games of a five-year, $92.5 million contract.

It’s hard to blame Schneider for all of those issues, and the team clearly hasn’t waved the white flag yet. However, don’t be surprised if Guerrero has a new boss by Opening Day 2025.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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