Blue Jays sign manager John Gibbons to extension

Apr 1, 2017; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons gives a press conference before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Just a day before the 2017 MLB regular season kicks off, the Toronto Blue Jays have announced that manager John Gibbons has agreed to a two-year extension with a team option for the 2020 season.

Happy to announce that John Gibbons has signed a 2-year extension! Congratulations, Gibby! pic.twitter.com/kjgjEW67Qr

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) April 1, 2017

In no way should it come as a surprise that Toronto would want to extend Gibbons. He’s led the Jays to the American League Championship Series in each of the past two seasons, posting a winning record in three of his four years as the team’s manager.

Toronto heads into the 2017 season as favorites in the American League East. It’s this type of consistency from an on-field standpoint that made the Blue Jays’ decision on Saturday that much easier. Gibbons was entering the final year of his contract before the team announced the extension.