Blue Jays give manager Gibbons raise, take away some job security

John Gibbons' new deal won't squash rumors about his job security, but it will guarantee him more money.

Does he look concerned? (USATSI)

There isn’t much that fazes Blue Jays manager John Gibbons. He proved as much last postseason when, during an in-game interview, he cracked on backup catcher Dioner Navarro by joking that Navarro was tough to score on a home run. It’s not too surprising, then, that Gibbons appears unintimidated by the Blue Jays’ new front office, which just so happens to look a lot like the Indians’ old one--right down to the presence of veteran skipper Eric Wedge.

The latest evidence that Gibbons is unbothered by any and all job security-related stress comes by way of MLB Network Radio’s Steve Phillips, who reported on Monday the two sides had agreed to a restructured contract.

Previously, Gibbons’ pact included an evergreen clause similar to the one Tim Wakefield used to have with the Red Sox. Essentially, the Blue Jays added another option year to Gibbons’ contract each time they exercised one, thus eliminating the potential for any lame-duck awkwardness. The past tense is pivotal, because Gibbons no longer has any such provision in his contract. Rather, his obligation with the Blue Jays now has a set end date (after the 2017 season) and that’s that; no more rollover, no more options, no more nothing. In exchange for giving up the ghost of managing the Blue Jays perpetually on one-year deals, Gibbons will receive more money. Fair enough.

None of this is going to squash the idea that Gibbons is managing on borrowed time, nor that Wedge is a prolonged losing streak away from being installed in the dugout. But it will make Gibbons richer for his worries--if he has any, that is.