Toronto Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins shouldered some of the blame for his team having to sell off pieces ahead of Monday's trade deadline.
The Blue Jays shipped out right-hander Kevin Gausman, outfielder Daulton Varsho, and reliever Jeff Hoffman despite coming into the campaign with lofty expectations following a big offseason and a 2025 World Series berth.
"It's absolutely brutal," Atkins told TSN's "OverDrive" on Tuesday when asked what it was like selling after coming so close to winning a title last year. "It's been very, very difficult. It's been as challenging of a year as I've had.
"The emotional swing of that is just so far from our expectations, and I'm very disappointed in myself and where we are. ... No matter where you are in your career, no matter what you just accomplished, not meeting expectations is - and especially when they're as high as they were for us - about as gut-wrenching as it gets."
Toronto also acquired controllable starters José Soriano and Spencer Arrighetti, along with utility man Josh Smith and a slew of prospects, through a hybrid sell-buy approach.
However, Atkins was candid regarding where the Blue Jays stood at the deadline.
"Any time that you're taking away from a team that we were all-in, I would put us in the sell category," Atkins added. "We were just fortunate to be able to acquire players that impact us now and beyond."
The Blue Jays enter Tuesday's action last in the AL East, four games out of the final wild-card spot but with six teams in front of them.
