Montoyo plays adjustment game as he's introduced as Blue Jays manager

Conor Roche

Montoyo plays adjustment game as he's introduced as Blue Jays manager image

For new Toronto Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo, managing a ball club is all about adjustments.

Montoyo was introduced as the 16th manager in Blue Jays history on Monday. He didn't really get into the specifics of his managing style, but he did keep keying in on the importance of adjustments. 

“Part of managing is adjusting to what you have, so I’m going to adjust to what we’ve got," Montoyo said. "We’re going to play to win and we’re going to go from there."

Montoyo got more specific, citing an example as to how to play into a team's strengths.

"If it’s a team that doesn’t have any speed, I’m not going to try to steal bases. That just wouldn’t be smart," Montoyo said. "I’m going to adjust to whatever team we decide to have at the end of Spring Training, that’s how I’m going to manage."

After managing teams in the Tampa Bay Rays' farm system from 1997-2014, Montoyo became the third base coach for the Rays in 2015 when Kevin Cash replaced Joe Maddon as manager. Cash's biggest "innovation" is to start some games with an opening pitcher as opposed to a traditional starter by having a relief pitcher throw the first couple of innings before putting a starter or a long-innings guy on the mound.

Montoyo was asked if he would follow suit and do the same thing. He didn't say if he would, but he's going to adjust things based on what he has to work with. 

“That’ll be a conversation with our front office [and] our coaches," Montoyo said. "Just because I come from Tampa Bay doesn't mean we’re going to do every that they did over there. It’s a different team, we’re going to adjust to what we have."

Something that he won't have to adjust to in Toronto is working to develop players. The Rays have been touted for their success in developing all-stars like Evan Longoria, David Price, Chris Archer and Blake Snell. The Blue Jays have one of the top farm systems in the league, and Montoyo is excited to work with those prospects.

“Looking at this team from the outside almost reminds me of the team we had in Tampa," Montoyo said. "A lot of younger kids, there’s going to be a lot of player development deals we’ve got to teach...it looks like it’s going to be a fun team to manage.”

As Montoyo manages a new generation into the majors, one of the things that have defined the newest generation of managers is their use of analytics in their decision making. Montoyo plans to use analytics as part of his decision making, but he won't make decisions just by what the numbers say.

"A lot of times in analytics they’re just giving what you already knew by managing," Montoyo said. "I’m going to have seven coaches. I’m going to use the information, the analytics side, my gut feeling and then we’re going to make a decision. That’s how I’m going to do it. Not just one way or the other.”

Tampa Bay is a part of the analytics game under Cash. And Cash's managing style has started to pay off for the Rays as the ball club won 90 games in 2018, which was their highest win total in since 2013.

Montoyo said that he knows analytics can work, but reiterated that he's not going to do everything the same way as Tampa. Why? Because the Rays and Blue Jays are different teams, and Montoyo is going to have to adjust with what he has to work with.

“I can tell you that’s one thing that I learned being with the Rays is that some of the things [ike analytics] work and then there is some other stuff that doesn’t work,” Montoyo said. "You’ve got to make adjustments, it’s a game of adjustments.” 

While we don't have a big idea as to how Montoyo will manage, he did check some things off the list of the right things to say for Blue Jays fans. He shared his excitement to manage Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who he has yet to see play, after Montoyo played with Guerrero Sr. in the Montreal Expos farm system. He also ended the press conference by proclaiming his love for Canada. 

“It’s awesome. [Toronto] is my favorite city to [visit] in the big leagues," Montoyo said. "Tampa Bay is in this division so we came here three times a year. I love Canada. I also played in Ottawa. That’s a beautiful place, I had a great time there…I love Canada.”

It looks like the new skipper won't have to adjust his feelings on his new home. 

Conor Roche