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By Steve Buffery

TORONTO — Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins said the organization is not ready to pull the plug on the season, at least not yet, even though the Jays were 9.5 games out of first place in the AL East on Thursday afternoon, and five out of a wild-card spot.

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Atkins is sticking to the narrative that it is possible for the Jays to improve their position this season and not have to blow up the roster.

There has been speculation that Atkins and team president Mark Shapiro would start a rebuild as soon as the Jays fell out of playoff contention sometime after the all-star break and that no players, with the possible exception of pitcher Aaron Sanchez, would be off-limits if the right deal came along.

“Are you buying or selling? I don’t think it’s a simple as that,” Atkins told Postmedia.

“We’re just focussed on getting better and that could come in many forms. Hopefully it comes in the form of our players here (stepping up). These guys haven’t played quite to their ability and we’re confident that they will.”