Jays Add Luis Rivera to Coaching Staff

by Tom Dakers on Nov 10, 2010 4:33 PM EST in Toronto Blue Jays News

Here is the Press Release:

BLUE JAYS ADD RIVERA TO STAFF

The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have appointed LUIS RIVERA to the position of Major League Coaching Assistant as part of John Farrell's staff.

RIVERA, 46, recently completed his first season in the Blue Jays organization serving as Manager of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats of the Eastern League (AA). Rivera led the team to the playoffs where they were defeated in the Eastern Division final after a 79-62 regular season record.

The Cidra, Puerto Rico native appeared in 781 Major League games from 1986 through 1998 with Montreal, Boston, New York (NL), Houston and Kansas City. The right-handed hitting infielder then began his coaching career with the Cleveland Indians organization in 2000 where he spent ten seasons before joining the Blue Jays. Rivera captured South Atlantic League Manager of the Year honours in 2003 before later joining Cleveland's Major League staff as the First Base and Infield Coach from 2006 through 2009. Including the 2010 season, he now owns a minor league managerial record of 325-235 (.580).

Tom back: I guess for those who were wondering if the Jays needed a Spanish speaking coach, we now have one. What his actual duties will be, I don't know, since we have the normal allotment of coaches already. But there isn't anything in the rules that says we can't have more. He was a middle infielder in the majors so he can likely help working with the infielders as well as be an interpreter when needed.

Added: Richard Griffin thwips that if Wakamatsu were to leave the team, say for the Met's manager job, Lovullo would move to bench coach and Rivera would be first base coach.

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Extra coaches

If I recall correctly, the Jays once got into some trouble by carrying an extra coach—Garth Iorg, I think. Also, I think one year, Jim Lett was an extra coach and was listed in the media guide simply as “coach”.

Now the Jays have two minor league teams needing a manager. I can see Omar Malave going to one of the teams.

by Minor Leaguer on Nov 10, 2010 4:42 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Yeah, I was wondering about this too and what Tom said:

But there isn’t anything in the rules that says we can’t have more.

Is there really no limit on the size of an MLB coaching staff? I find this hard to believe somehow.

Before Rivera’s hiring was announced (but was correctly speculated), Jeff Blair said that if hired, this extra coach “who would be in uniform before games but not during them”.

This suggests to me there is a limit on the number of coaches and this is a way of getting around the rules by not having him in uniform during games.

If this is the case, does this mean Rivera wouldn’t be allowed in the dugout during games? If so, doesn’t seem like an ideal situation for an up-and-coming managerial candidate.

by jabalong on Nov 10, 2010 8:47 PM EST up reply actions

Here’s an answer on this from another Richard Griffin tweet:

Reason Luis Rivera not full fledged Jays coach is he is not on MLB pension plan. Only five coaches per team.

This sounds more like it, though shouldn’t it be six (bench, pitching, hitting, 1B, 3B, bullpen), not five?

by jabalong on Nov 10, 2010 8:53 PM EST up reply actions

And the correction…

@jabalong yeah thanks. It is six. I mis-counted.

by jabalong on Nov 10, 2010 9:05 PM EST up reply actions

Richard Griffin tweets that there shouldn’t be any reason that Rivera as an extra coach can’t be in uniform during game time – he points to the bullpen catcher as an example.

This answers another question I posted somewhere else about who the Jays bullpen catcher is: Alex Andreopoulos.

by jabalong on Nov 11, 2010 9:33 PM EST up reply actions

Is Jesus Figueroa is uniform during games?

by Minor Leaguer on Nov 11, 2010 11:08 PM EST up reply actions

That’s a good question, I don’t remember what Figueroa gets up to during games.

by jabalong on Nov 12, 2010 9:47 PM EST up reply actions

OK maybe it was a figment of my imagination—I can’t find any evidence to back my “memories” :P

by Minor Leaguer on Nov 10, 2010 11:03 PM EST up reply actions

Didn’t Rivera manage Hech last year? Could next year be the year that Hill moves to 3rd and Hech moves to 2nd?

by bleh on Nov 10, 2010 5:23 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Exactly my first thought

Not sure if there’s anything to it besides wishful thinking

by T_Mizz on Nov 10, 2010 6:28 PM EST up reply actions

griffin tweet

I’m not sure that’s correct. When I listened to an interview with AA, he talked about the bench coach role needed to be someone with catching experience, or it was highly preferred. Hench Don Wakamatsu, who looks like a great addition. I’m not saying those coaches won’t get shifted around, but I highly doubt Rivera was brought in just to shuffle around in case Wakamatsu gets hired. What about Sandy Alomar? Would he be brought in if DW were to leave? So many questions, but I’m extremely encouraged by the addition of these coaches

by brewerm on Nov 10, 2010 5:56 PM EST reply actions

hoping for Fasano in NH

Rivera was great. Was hoping he would be back next year because he seemed to do well with Adeiny.

I love Fasano though. I want him soooo bad!

by NHfishercatsfan on Nov 10, 2010 6:27 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Wonder how Fasano's doing with Movember.

by Minor Leaguer on Nov 10, 2010 10:58 PM EST up reply actions

Dear Bleh...

Hech ain’t moving to 2nd – Escobar moves to 2nd, Hechaverria to SS and Hill to 3rd (if we keep him). Hech is 7 years younger than Escobar, he’s got more range, more skills and like Escobar he’s a questionable bat.

by Mylegacy on Nov 11, 2010 12:09 AM EST reply actions