Blue Jays hire Eric Wedge as player development advisor

Wedge managed the Indians from 2002 to 2009. (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

The Toronto Blue Jays have hired former big-league manager Eric Wedge as a player development advisor.

Wedge will work closely with president Mark Shapiro, GM Ross Atkins and player development director Gil Kim on strategies to enhance the player development system, the team announced on Saturday.

The 48-year-old has ties with Toronto’s front office, having managed the Cleveland Indians from 2002 to 2009. During his time in Cleveland, Wedge was named AL Manager of the Year in 2007 and was the runner-up in 2005.

Wedge compiled a 774-846 record (.478) as a big-league manager with the Indians and Seattle Mariners.

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