The Toronto Blue Jays and manager John Gibbons are close to agreeing to terms on a two-year contract extension that runs through the end of the 2019 season and includes a team option for an additional year, sources tell TSN Baseball Insider Steve Phillips.

Gibbons, 54, is entering the fifth year of his second stint in Toronto - and the final year of his existing contract - and will look to lead the Blue Jays to the postseason for a third consecutive year.

Gibbons told reporters at the start of spring training that he was not worried about not having a contract past this upcoming season.

"I told (GM) Ross (Atkins), because it was a big off-season, a lot of free agents...I told him in due time, if it’s right, we’ll get something taken care of," he said. "That wasn’t a big, big priority for me. I think the people that know me realize that.

“In due time, I think we can probably work something out. There was just too much going on as far as the players on the field. It was an unusual year. I thought that needed to be the priority.”

Gibbons was the Jays' manager from 2004 to 2008 before being fired after a 35-39 start in 2008. He was re-hired by then-general manager Alex Anthopoulos in 2013.

Gibbons' existing contract was reworked prior to last season. He was signed for 2016 and 2017 and the rollover clause, which was put in place under Anthopoulos, was eliminated. Gibbons received a bump in pay as compensation for it.

Atkins said last month that Gibbons' future with the team was an, "ongoing discussion."

"We enjoy the discussion, we enjoy talking about the work we’ve had together and the work we will continue to have," he explained. "It’s something that’s not just about the Toronto Blue Jays, it's also about he and his family and what’s best for him. 

"We're enjoying the discussion with very little pressure. We’ll let you know when we’re able to reach an agreement."

Gibbons has a 644-614 record over nine seasons in Toronto. 

The Jays have made back-to-back appearances in the American League Championship Series, losing to the Kansas City Royals in 2015 and the Cleveland Indians in 2016. 

"We've been consistent in our respect for Gibby and our appreciation...walking in here, building a relationship with him and his alignment of values," Blue Jays president and CEO Mark Shapiro told TSN last month. "I think he's been a steady hand. When there's 162 points of feedback and the roller coaster goes up and down, to walk in and know that guy's going to be the same every single day - that may sound simple, but that doesn't happen very often. That to me, really manifests itself as a strength."