Cito's staying, Brad Arnsberg is going. Here is the press release. I will comment more tomorrow, don't have time at the moment, but am very sad to see Arnsberg gone from the team. Arnsberg has kept the pitching staff near the top of the league for the last few years, but we figured he and Cito wouldn't be working together again next year.
BLUE JAYS COMPLETE COACHING STAFF FOR 2010
GASTON agrees to four year consulting agreement through 2014
The TORONTO BLUE JAYS announce that CITO GASTON has signed a four-year consulting agreement to begin in 2011 after choosing to retire from managing following the 2010 season. Gaston's staff in 2010 will consist of BRIAN BUTTERFIELD, Third Base Coach, NICK LEYVA, Bench Coach, DWAYNE MURPHY, Hitting Coach, BRUCE WALTON, Pitching Coach, RICK LANGFORD, Bullpen Coach and OMAR MALAVE, First Base Coach. GENE TENACE has chosen to retire from baseball & BRAD ARNSBERG has accepted the position of Pitching Coach with the Houston Astros.
As part of his consulting agreement, GASTON, 65, will advise and consult in all areas of Baseball Operations, including the Major League Club, spring training, minor league operations and scouting. The Olsmar, Florida resident, who returned as manager on June 20, 2008, is the first two-time manager of the Blue Jays and only one of 10 men to manage the club since its inception in 1977. Gaston managed the Blue Jays from 1989 to 1997 and led the team to four play-off appearances including back to back World Series Championships in 1992 & 1993. One of nine men inducted to the Toronto Blue Jays Level of Excellence, he owns a career 828-774 record as manager in a franchise high 1,602 regular season games.
BUTTERFIELD, 51, will return to the role of Third Base Coach after two seasons as the clubs' Bench Coach. The Scottsdale, Arizona resident has been with the Blue Jays for eight seasons and has been a Coach or Manager for 26 seasons. The move allows the University of Maine product to increase his focus with the clubs' infielders.
LEYVA, 56, has moved from Third Base Coach to Bench Coach. The former Philadelphia Phillies manager was appointed Third Base Coach on June 20, 2008 and will continue to serve a valuable role working alongside manager Cito Gaston.
MURPHY, 54, moves from First Base to become the Hitting Coach. The six-time Gold Glove Award winner was the organizations Roving Minor League Hitting Instructor prior to his appointment in Toronto in 2008.
WALTON, 46, has been promoted to Pitching Coach following seven successful seasons working with the teams' bullpen. The former major league reliever has spent his entire 14-year coaching career in the Blue Jays organization.
LANGFORD, 57, has served as a Pitching Coach within the organization since 1996 after a lengthy major league career. The American League leader in complete games in 1980 & 1981, Langford is making a return to Toronto serving as the Pitching Coach in 2002.
MALAVE, 46, has spent his entire professional baseball career in the Blue Jays organization as a player from 1981 to 1988 and then in coaching capacity since 1990. The Cumana, Venezuela native who has managed over 2,000 minor league games native will be making his big league debut.