Why the Blue Jays fired manager Charlie Montoyo
When the Toronto Blue Jays prolonged supervisor Charlie Montoyo’s contract by the tip of 2023 in April, this isn’t the outcome they anticipated.
Amid a dreadful stretch the place the membership had received simply two of its final 11 contests and whispers about clubhouse dynamics have swirled, the Blue Jays opted for a drastic change, asserting Wednesday that they had fired Montoyo and changed him with bench coach John Schneider.
“I really wished this to work with Charlie,” basic supervisor Ross Atkins stated at a press convention following the teaching change. “[I] wasn’t in a position to make that occur. I am extraordinarily dissatisfied the place we’re. I feel we’re higher than how we have now performed.”
Atkins, who employed Montoyo in 2018, owned the membership’s failure this season, calling the choice to fireplace Montoyo “a collective setback.”
“I’m the one which must be accountable for that,” Atkins stated.
Atkins declined to elaborate on what precisely he felt the now ex-skipper did improper, nonetheless the Jays GM expressed simply how integral Montoyo’s affect will likely be on the membership’s future success.
“When this workforce is profitable, he’s going to have been an enormous a part of that,” Atkins stated of Montoyo. “And I’ll be certain that he is aware of that.”
So why hearth the supervisor now? It’s a difficult query that deepens when you think about the place the Blue Jays sit within the standings.
Earlier than Wednesday’s recreation in opposition to the Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto was tied with the Seattle Mariners for the third and remaining AL wild-card spot. Technically that’s nonetheless a playoff place, however, by 88 video games (46-42), the manufacturing hasn’t been constant sufficient from a Blue Jays squad as soon as favoured to dominate the American League.
There’s a hope {that a} new chief will increase clubhouse morale and enhance the on-field product.
“We’re simply not enjoying to our potential,” Atkins stated. “And I see some small alternatives to assist that, and [firing Montoyo] was one in every of them. So I see a whole lot of particular person issues which can be optimistic and a few particular person areas the place we are able to enhance.”
The Phillies, whom Toronto defeated 4-3 on Tuesday in Montoyo’s remaining recreation as supervisor, are an incredible instance of an in-season supervisor change gone proper. Philly is 24-13 since changing supervisor Joe Girardi with Sarnia, Ont. native Rob Thompson.
“The sport goes on,” Thompson, the Phillies former bench coach, stated Tuesday. “Generally one other voice, not even altering, only a completely different voice. Simply possibly a faucet on the shoulder to all of the gamers, saying ‘We’ve acquired to get it going.’ Generally that helps.”
A part of the rationale Toronto got here to this choice is as a result of Schneider, who will stay the supervisor for the remainder of 2022, is a reliable alternative. Persona-wise, the 42-year-old is loads like Montoyo in his charisma and positivity, although he has a popularity for having a sharper tact.
As bench coach, Schneider had already considerably contributed to the Blue Jays’ pre-game preparation, in addition to in-game decision-making. He says his managerial philosophies received’t differ from what we’ve seen already.
“My model in all probability will not change that a lot from a tactical standpoint,” Schneider stated. “I like being aggressive. I like having enjoyable. I at all times suppose that when the fellows are comfy, that is the very best model of the participant you are gonna get.”
Schneider’s well-established rapport with a number of the Blue Jays’ core gamers additionally made him an ideal interim match at this level within the season. He’s been a minor-league supervisor within the group as far down as Class-A, which has allowed him to cross paths with Cavan Biggio, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Danny Jansen, and others as he labored his solution to the highest.
“Understanding [the Jays players and coaches] and what makes them tick is one thing that I am fortunate sufficient to have,” Schneider stated. “I’ve talked to those guys a little bit bit as we speak, simply briefly individually, it should be no completely different than what they’re used to from me, albeit on a a lot greater stage.”
With a clear slate from which to attract and a proficient roster on the sector in entrance of him, Schneider will get a really particular alternative. The Blue Jays additionally get an opportunity to hit a real reset button and escape this sub-.500 funk (32-34) they’ve been caught in since Might 1.
Toronto has significantly shaken issues up. Now it’s time to search out out if this daring transfer will repay.
“This can be a group that is proficient and that desires to win,” Schneider stated. “We’re all aware of each other. Us as a training workers, we’re all aware of each other … I see a whole lot of alternatives for this workforce to do actually, very well going ahead.”
Extra from Yahoo Sports activities
