Toronto Blue Jays name hitting and pitching coaches – MLB News
It was a familiar task for the Toronto Blue Jays’ Manager John Gibbons when he was asked to name his coaching staff on Monday. However, he also found it difficult to pick two rookie coaches for the next season and say goodbye to an experienced pitching coach
Bruce Walton.
According to thestar.com, Gibbons said it was the toughest thing he ever had to do. Gibbons appointed 2012 bullpen coach Pete Walker to pitching coach, which caused the Blue Jays cut ties with him. He had been working with the Blue Jays since 1996.
“We go way back too and he was good to me over my years here,” Gibbons said of Walton in an interview. “I have a long history with Pete Walker, I managed him with the Mets system, and knowing what kind of pitcher he was . . . it wasn’t an easy ride for him
to get the big leagues. He always had to go beyond, put in that little extra to get there, and he can be a difference maker. This is my chance to give him an opportunity to do that.”
Blue Jays have also hired Chad Mottola as the team’s new batting coach. Mottola worked with Triple A Las Vegas for the last two seasons and worked as an assistant under former hitting coach Dwayne Murphy in closing stages of 2012 season.
The source further claimed that Murphy has been moved from hitting coach to first base coach. In his Major League Baseball career as a player, Murphy won six Gold Glove Awards. His new duties will include working with the outfielders and base-runners.
Third base Brian Butterfield was also replaced by Luis Rivera and DeMarlo Hale will be the team’s new bench coach. Hate is considered to be one of the brilliant minds in the game. He also shares a long term relationship with Gibbons. Several other teams
also wanted to hire him but he decided to move to Toronto. Gibbons said he was disappointed to lose Butterfield, insisting that he will have a word with Walker before choosing the bullpen coach.
It will be interesting to see how these coaching changes will effect the team as they are getting ready for the Spring Training sessions.
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