The Toronto Blue Jays are close to naming the man who will lead their revamped roster in 2013, according to a report.
The Jays are close to announcing their next manager. Two of the final names they discussed were Jim Tracy and Jim Riggleman. — Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 17, 2012
The Jays are close to announcing their next manager. Two of the final names they discussed were Jim Tracy and Jim Riggleman.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) November 17, 2012
On Saturday morning however, Fox Sport’s Ken Rosenthal reported the Blue Jays have yet to reach out to Riggleman:
#BlueJays have not contacted Riggleman, according to his agent, Burton Rocks. Would be interested in job. Has always wanted to manage Reyes. — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 17, 2012
#BlueJays have not contacted Riggleman, according to his agent, Burton Rocks. Would be interested in job. Has always wanted to manage Reyes.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) November 17, 2012
The 60-year-old Riggleman has managed for 12 seasons in the majors with the Padres, Cubs, Mariners and Nationals posting a 662-824 record.
His lone playoff appearance came in 1998 when he managed the Cubs to a 90-73 record and the NL wild card after winning a one-game playoff against the San Francisco Giants.
Riggleman’s tenure with the Nationals ended in controversy after he resigned from the team on June 23, 2011 after the team refused to discuss picking up his contract extension.
The 56-year-old Tracy has managed for 11 seasons in the majors with the Dodgers, Pirates and Rockies posting a 856-880 record, including the NL West title with the Dodgers in 2004.
The Blue Jays have also spoken with Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Tim Wallach and Arizona Diamondbacks third base coach Matt Williams about the opening.
Toronto Blue Jays bench coach Don Wakamatsu is also believed to be under consideration.
