The Jays are flush with candidates to replace Cito, and the GM has proven he can make a decision.
Over his first 55 weeks as chief decision maker or the Blue Jays, Alex Anthopoulos is thorough.
And secretive.
That's why his search for Cito Gaston's replacement as the 11th full-time manager in franchise history is moving along at a glacial pace. That's not to say that the process won't be extensive, but we're only going to hear rumours and reports until the new skipper is likely named in the first week following the end of the World Series.
Let's face it: Anthopoulos has remained steadfast and consistent when it comes to the leaking of information regarding his team -- whether it be trade talks, potential free agents and, now, a new manager. Rumours will inevitably surface, but none will come from him or anyone else employed in his front office. That's not the way that he chooses to go about his business, a complete 180-degree turn from the way J.P. Ricciardi and his lieutenants conducted themselves. Ultimately it led to Ricciardi's demise and allowed the franchise to rebuild; something that led to some very exciting baseball this season. Now the hiring of a new bench boss will, fingers-crossed, take this team to the next step: playoffs.
Here's what we know about the next manager, culled from the world of rumours, blogs and whispers: The Blue Jays have made contact with Tampa Bay coach Dave Martinez, Red Sox coaches DeMarlo Hale, Tim Bogar and John Farrell, Padres first base coach Rick Renteria, former MLB and Japanese manager Bobby Valentine, current Jays coaches Nicky Leyva and Brian Butterfield, Colorado hitting coach Don Baylor (who re-signed with the Rockies), former Orioles interim manager Juan Samuel, Yankees coach Rob Thomson, Angels coach Ron Roenicke, Red Sox triple-A manager Torey Luvollo and Blue Jays double-A manager Luis Rivera.
That's quite an extensive list, but many on that list would be managing in the majors or the first time. Hopefully, Anthopoulos and his inner circle haven't forgotten how badly things went the previous times the team has gone with inexperienced, first-timers.
I personally believe that the next skipper needs to come from a winning organization, with extensive knowledge of the A.L. East. That certainly moves Martinez, the three Red Sox coaches, Thomson, Leyva and Butterfield to the top of the list. The first name you can lop off that list is Butterfield, who will in all likely hood be moving on to join his good friend Buck Showalter on the Orioles staff. That's too bad for the Jays as "Butter" has been invaluable as the infield instructor and third base coach and has groomed some of the Jays younger talent. Unfortunately, I see a lot of Jimy Williams in Butterfield: outstanding coach, but just doesn't have what it takes to be the top dog.
Of the remaining names, the two that intrigue me the most is Martinez, who has spent the past three seasons as Joe Maddon's bench coach with the Rays, and Farrell, the Red Sox pitching coach the last four seasons. Martinez, according to those in the know, is one the top bright minds in the game, and mentors on the up-tempo style under the Rays' Maddon.
That is a style offence that I would certainly endorse.
But I also find Farrell to be equally intriguing. My booth mate Pat Tabler, who played a good chunk if his career with the Indians, has always spoken very highly of Farrell. He was their Director of Player Development from November of 2003 through the end of the 2006 season. During that timeframe, the Indians were twice named "Organization of the Year" by USA Today and in 2003 they were touted as having the top farm system in professional baseball by Baseball America. Those are a couple of nice endorsements to have on any resume. And, I wrote earlier, both Martinez and Farrell have extensive experience in the tough A.L. East.
I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I have any secret knowledge about any of these candidates.
Far from it, in fact.
But the bits and pieces I have come across tells me that the Jays are going to get the right man for this situation and somewhere among these names is that person. Unless young Anthopolous is playing his cards closer to the vest than normal, if that's humanly possible, and he's going to shock us with someone we haven't already thought of in about three weeks time.
