Jays get much-needed shakeup
By Richard GriffinBaseball Columnist
Sat., Oct. 31, 2009timer3 min. read
PHILADELPHIA—Following a controversial and rancorous ending to the Jays '09 season, with player accusations of negativism, lack of communication and dysfunction within the clubhouse, the team named its revamped coaching staff for 2010 on Friday. Even though none of the four returning coaches comes back in the same role, only pitching coach Brad Arnsberg and hitting coach Gene Tenace are gone.
The revised lineup is as follows: Cito Gaston will manage the final year of his $2.5 million (U.S.) contract, then retire into a four-year deal as a senior advisor. Brian Butterfield is the third-base coach, Bruce Walton the pitching coach, Dwayne Murphy the hitting coach. Nick Leyva is the bench coach, with Rick Langford the bullpen coach and Omar Malave the first-base coach.
The Jays' young GM Alex Anthopoulos has taken steps – albeit small ones – toward addressing the real issues of the revolt that occurred in Baltimore the final weekend. The changes will improve the atmosphere in the short term, but what about winning and competing in the long term? That will come later.
Anthopoulos, named Oct. 3 to replace J.P. Ricciardi, called and received input from key players before making his decisions. It was a positive move in that it showed the players he is listening to their concerns. However, the end results to the revamped Jays' coaching staff seem like a hazy compromise.
Anthopoulos repeated yesterday the false belief that the clubhouse problem was not as bad as it seemed, simply overblown by the media and other outside forces. You get the feeling Anthopoulos knows the truth but is being diplomatic – new for that role.
"This was a thorough process," Anthopoulos said via conference call. "It was a long, lengthy process, part of a real connect with players. This was the right move for the organization going forward."
It is the right thing. There was a clear give-and-take in almost every one of the coaching decisions. The biggest move is that Arnsberg left to become the Houston Astros' pitching coach. He is an excellent instructor, but it would have been impossible for Gaston and Arnsberg to co-exist for another year.
The two were at the heart of the clubhouse disconnect with the pitchers. Arnsberg treats his pitchers like family. Whenever one was slighted in role reduction or public criticism, Arnsberg sided with the player. That became so huge an issue that by the end of the year the pitching staff had become its own entity.
Walton and Arnsberg had worked closely together, so when Anthopoulos spoke to his players seeking input, the only acceptable replacement for Arnsberg became Walton. The bullpen was part of the discontent. The bullpen is part of the solution.
Hitting coach Gene Tenace, one of two coaches brought in by Cito from the glory years, retired, probably a compromise between Cito and the new GM. Gaston, when he talked about the development of Adam Lind and other young hitters, always made sure to credit both Tenace and Murphy. He insisted the Jays had three hitting coaches. Now they have two.
Butterfield is a better third-base coach than Leyva, while Gaston will be more comfortable with his friend by his side on the bench. It will also allow Butterfield more time to work with the infielders defensively.
Langford has worked with all the young pitchers. Malave is being rewarded for his loyalty, with the Jays as a player and coach dating to 1981.
The Gaston decision to stay on after he finishes managing would not have been possible if Paul Beeston had not signed on as president. Beeston is Gaston's confidant in the organization.
Get more sports in your inbox
Get the Star's Sports Headlines email newsletter for a daily round-up of the latest big news.
Gaston's four-year extension as a senior advisor allows flexibility. The Jays can replace Gaston without firing him. The parachute is already there.
The coaching moves by Anthopoulos needed to be made and Beeston was there to help. That teamwork seems to be the way it will be until the 32-year-old earns his spurs.
Alex Anthopoulos