Toronto Blue Jays re-sign exec that fans wanted run out of town a year ago

When Toronto Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro announced that Ross Atkins would be back after the 2024 season, fans were pissed. 

Given that Atkins had been the team's general manager since December 2015, fans wanted change after the Blue Jays finished dead last in the American League East Division in 2024, with a 74-88 record. 

"This front office has accomplished absolutely nothing," one fan said at the time. 

"Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins shouldn't be running a high school baseball team, let alone an MLB franchise," said another. 

Well, what a difference a year makes. 

Shapiro was given a five-year contract extension in December, and on Monday, both Atkins and manager John Schneider were rewarded with new contracts. 

Atkins, who has one year remaining on his current deal, has signed a five-year contract extension. Schneider, who also had a year left on his contract, signed a two-year extension. 

This kind of news, just one year ago, would have been met with fury from Blue Jays fans. But after nearly delivering a World Series title in 2025, the mood has certainly shifted. 

2024 me would be so mad, but 2025 me realized how wrong I was about these two. W extensions LETS RUN IT BACK https://t.co/AKVFeY028L

— Tyler Beauchesne (@SensfleckTy) March 23, 2026

"A year ago this post would've started a riot," reads the top comment reacting to the news on Instagram. 

"What a difference a deep playoff run makes. We were asking for their heads mid season last year," said another fan. 

Atkins and Schneider, for their part, showed appreciation for their new deals. 

"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue to get better alongside the remarkable people in this organization. Toronto is a special place, and I want to thank our fans across Canada for making this one of the best environments to work in all professional sports," said Atkins. 

"I am ecstatic to continue leading the Blue Jays as we work to bring our incredible fans a championship team. It's been a privilege to be part of this organization for nearly 25 years, and the work the Blue Jays continue to do excites me every day," said Schneider.

"Thank you to our fans for the awesome support they've shown my family throughout my time here. Across the city and country, the fans have made Jessy, Gunner, Greyson, and me feel truly at home."