[3] He played 5 seasons in Cleveland's minor league organization before retiring, compiling a career 37–32 win–loss record, 4.13 earned run average (ERA), and 340 strikeouts in 512 innings pitched.

During the offseason leading into the 2016 season, Atkins made several moves, including selecting Joe Biagini in the Rule 5 draft, trading Ben Revere to the Washington Nationals for Drew Storen, and signing several players to minor league contracts with invitations to spring training.

[14] On April 7, 2021, the Blue Jays organization announced they had signed Atkins to a five-year contract extension, through the end of the 2026 season.

[18] In the off-season, Atkins made a series of moves, including signing Brandon Belt, Kevin Kiermaier and notably trading catching prospect Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Daulton Varsho.

[19][20] The team ended the 2023 season with a record of 89-73 and suffered a second straight wild-card round sweep, this time at the hands of the Minnesota Twins.

[21] During the off-season, prized free agent Shohei Ohtani reportedly met with the Blue Jays at their Spring Training complex as one of the final teams he considered choosing; ultimately he signed a record 10-year 700 million dollar deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.