Charlie Montoyo named Blue Jays new manager

The Toronto Blue Jays named Charlie Montoyo their new manager on Thursday. He served as the Tampa Bay Rays bench coach in 2018. Photo Credit: Tampa Bay Rays

By Andrew Hendriks

Canadian Baseball Network

TORONTO -- After serving as the bench coach on Kevin Cash's 90-win Tampa Bay Rays squad in 2018, Charlie Montoyo was handed the managerial keys to the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday.

Signed to a three year deal with a club option for 2022, Montoyo, 53, brings with him an overall record of 1,266-1,142 through parts of 18 minor league seasons, the last eight of which were spent at the helm of the triple-A Durham Bulls.

"We're thrilled to announce Charlie as the new Manager of the Toronto Blue Jays," said GM Ross Atkins in a press release on Monday, "Charlie is a highly regarded leader by so many individuals in the game, and we were thoroughly impressed by his experiences and approach as we learned more about him during the interview process."

"Charlie posses the warmth, authenticity and extensive experience that will help foster a championship culture in our clubhouse and throughout the organization," added Blue Jays President and CEO, Mark Shapiro in Thursday's statement. "His collaborative nature and leadership ability will undoubtedly have a broad impact across the club."

Known as a strong communicator with an eye for player development, Montoyo's experience will serve as an asset for the Blue Jays once the next wave of impact talent (Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio et al.) comes crashing on to the Blue Jays 40-man roster over the next few seasons.

A sixth-round selection by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1987 MLB First-Year Player Draft, Montoyo appeared in four games with the Montreal Expos and spent the majority of his playing career (531 games) at the triple-A level.

Montoyo will take over for John Gibbons, who departs the team having amassed a 793-789 record in two tenures as the Blue Jays field boss.