Jays manager Gaston inks consulting deal
October 31, 2009
TORONTO (AP)—Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston has signed a four-year consultingcontract with the team that will begin when his managerial deal expires at theend of the 2010 season.
The Blue Jays announced the deal Friday. Gaston is expected to advise theteam in all areas, including spring training, minor league operations andscouting.
The 65-year-old Gaston and his staff drew criticism from Toronto players inthe final weekend of the season for the way they were being treated. The Jaysfinished fourth in the AL East with a 75-87 record.
“With the cards he was dealt and the people on the roster, Cito did thebest job he could. The win total is a reflection of the talent level on theroster,” Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos told The Canadian Press.
The 32-year-old Anthopoulos replaced J.P Ricciardi as GM on Oct. 3.
Also, pitching coach Brad Arnsberg is leaving the Blue Jays to take the samejob with the Houston Astros. He will be replaced by former bullpen coach BruceWalton. Hitting coach Gene Tenace is retiring. Former first-base coach DwayneMurphy will assume Tenance’s role.
Player favorite Brian Butterfield will return to the job of third-base coachafter serving as Gaston’s bench coach for 1 1/2 seasons, swapping roles with NickLeyva. And Rick Langford was promoted from the organization’s roving pitchingcoach to bullpen coach.
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