Numerous reports say the Jays will hire Charlie Montoyo as their new manager. The hiring of Montoyo is a bit unexpected as he was the oldest candidate under consideration, 53 years old, and appeared to be the least up to date with modern analytics. Montoyo played four major league games and had five at-bats, all for the Expos. Montoyo had a long minor league career followed by a long minor league managing career.
Why would the Jays have hired Montoyo? First he has a long managing career behind him. His Durham Bulls won seven International League titles. Second, through those years managing in the minor leagues he is able to develop younger players. Third, he speaks Spanish, hailing from Puerto Rico. And fourth, as a long time member of the Rays organization, including four years as a major league coach. Tampa are known as a team that uses analytics a lot, and Montoyo had exposure to those analytics as a member of Kevin Cash's team.
In many ways this is an old school hire. Long time minor leaguer becomes minor league manager, works his way up to the major leagues and then , in his 50's, gets a major league managing job.
Ross Atkins said he was looking for someone who has tough, smart and passionate. Montoyo must have convinced him of all three. Montoyo has been rumoured to be a future major league manager for several years, but with many of the jobs going to younger former players, he might have thought his time had gone.
The selection of Montoyo means Joe Espada and Brandon Hyde. They can commiserate with each other as I found out today they are brothers-in-law. Both rejected!
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20181025145537694