Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos touched on all the recent Blue Jays news Tuesday, including the hiring of John Gibbons, the Melky Cabrera signing and the blockbuster trade with the Miami Marlins.
@bluejays fan sound super excited. Looks like they’ll have a great team on the field. Happy for #Gibby, nice guy. Hope all can stay healthy
— Carlos Delgado (@carlosdelgado21) November 20, 2012
AA: “Some tough times in my life led to some good times” #jays
— Tony Ambrogio (@SNTonyAmbrogio) November 20, 2012
I have been saying the #BlueJays needed a manager with presence. John Gibbons has that.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 20, 2012
Gibbons “fell in love” with Melky in KC. Brings energy, good player, really good hitter. #Bluejays #Jays
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness590) November 20, 2012
AA on Melky: “He made a terrible mistake. We’ll give guys a second chance, maybe not a third or fourth.” #BlueJays
— Mike Cormack (@MikeCormack) November 20, 2012
AA says he had no problem with Gibbons confronting Hillenbrand, adding he actually liked it.
— Mike Cormack (@MikeCormack) November 20, 2012
“That was a black eye for me” said John Gibbons re: Lilly and Hillenbrand confrontations. Then joked “I’m too old” for that now. #Jays
— Tony Ambrogio (@SNTonyAmbrogio) November 20, 2012
AA: We’re a contending team, but that doesn’t mean we’re flawless or there’s not room to improve. #Bluejays #Jays
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness590) November 20, 2012
Anthopoulos on catchers: “Right now, Arencibia is the starter, Buck is the back-up.” Says D’Arnaud will start in minors. #Jays #Bluejays
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) November 20, 2012
AA has talked to Buehrle about the pitbull thing and they’re helping him work on it. All very excited to be coming. #Bluejays
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness590) November 20, 2012
Question asked in French. AA jokingly asks Gibbons if he wants to take it. Gibbons says “I have a hard enough time with english”#bluejays
— Barry Davis (@SNBarryDavis) November 20, 2012
Jesus, I didn’t even know AA spoke fluent French and I’ve worked with or under him for years! Wow. This is to much to fast!
— Dirk Hayhurst (@TheGarfoose) November 20, 2012
Anthopoulos: “I still think we can use some depth in the starting rotation… We can certainly improve in the bullpen.” #Jays #Bluejays
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) November 20, 2012
Anthopoulos: “We will continue to be active.” #Jays #Bluejays
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) November 20, 2012
Interesting Anthopoulos saying he regrets deals he’s done where he was overly concerned w/ public perception. Wonder which ones? #Jays
— Michael Grange (@michaelgrange) November 20, 2012
AA says he hopes to have #BlueJays coaching staff finalized “in next week or two.”
— Mike Cormack (@MikeCormack) November 20, 2012
AA: “Things I’ve regretted most as GM…are the decisions where I didn’t follow my instincts. And made decisions based on optics/perception”
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) November 20, 2012
Anthopoulos said Beeston told him “not to flinch,” when he initially told him about the Marlins deal, and to “stay on it.” #Jays #Bluejays
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) November 20, 2012
AA says they went beyond what he thought the payroll could be but was promised the money would be there when time was right. #bluejays
— Barry Davis (@SNBarryDavis) November 20, 2012
Farrell made me uncomfortable. I felt like I was in the principle’s office every time I had to speak with him. An animated statue.
— Dirk Hayhurst (@TheGarfoose) November 20, 2012
AA on trade. “It started by asking about Josh Johnson. They asked for young players and it developed from there.” #bluejays
— Barry Davis (@SNBarryDavis) November 20, 2012
You can hear it in Gibby’s voice now, how relaxed he is, how much perspective he has on the fickle nature of the game. That will rub off.
— Dirk Hayhurst (@TheGarfoose) November 20, 2012
2 main criteria for managerial job, Anthopoulos says: 1) Connecting with players; 2) Being able to connect with management. #Jays #Bluejays
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) November 20, 2012
AA says internal candidates were strongly considered, but Gibby right guy at right time
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) November 20, 2012
Gibbons: “This gets everyone’s attention. This is serious stuff. Who wouldn’t want to be here?”
— Mike Cormack (@MikeCormack) November 20, 2012
Gibbons “some people will like the move, some will think it was the wrong decision. Our success on field will determine my fate”#bluejays
— Barry Davis (@SNBarryDavis) November 20, 2012
AA says he asked San Diego for permission to talk to Gibbons late last week.
— Mike Cormack (@MikeCormack) November 20, 2012
Can’t wait to work with Gibby!!! Gym time!! #LetsGetIt
— jp arencibia (@jparencibia9) November 20, 2012
Gibbons three press conference laughs so far are three more than Farrell elicited from T.O. press in two years.
— Mike Cormack (@MikeCormack) November 20, 2012
Gibbons to media: “You guys were far off.” No kidding. #Bluejays #Jays
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) November 20, 2012
AA: “thrilled” for Gibbons to be manager of the club. “Don’t know if there was anyone better managing a bullpen.”
— Mike Cormack (@MikeCormack) November 20, 2012
AA on Gibbons: I’ve got more conviction in this hire … than in any other transaction.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) November 20, 2012
John Gibbons “this came as a big surprise to me” and “I never would have guessed this could have happened.” #jays
— Tony Ambrogio (@SNTonyAmbrogio) November 20, 2012
