2012-2013 Toronto Blue Jays Off Season Thread

[Hells Bells]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

I always liked gibbons. He managed the jays to their best record of the 2000s I believe, and he's getting a team that's even better on paper than the one he had.

I don't believe anyone is left on the team from his previous tenure aside from Frasor and Janssen, and I can't see either of those guys having a problem with him.

I'm also a fan of this move. Gibbons got the most out of his players and this team is light years better than the roster he had to work with. Some people will trash the move solely because he managed the Jays before but I feel he will do a great job with this group.

Also, Janssen and Lind remain from the Gibbons era... Frasor is gonzo.

[CaramonLS]

I don't know. I remember watching a lot during those years when Gibby was at the helm. He seemed to do a lot of the little things right - decent in game management, filled out the line up card correctly. Obviously the personnel issues with Lilly and Hillenbrand were the 2 major ones.

My biggest complaint about him was that he wasn't anything special. He really didn't seem to inspire players to new heights, like say Cito did during his first time with the Jays where he could tell if someone was tipping pitches or not.

He was just... average.

Has an MLB team ever rehired 2 former managers before? (Gaston and Gibbons)? I'm genuinely curious. I know NY did it at least once with Billy Martin (numerous times), but it is a pretty rare occurrence.

[moon]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

Has an MLB team ever rehired 2 former managers before? (Gaston and Gibbons)? I'm genuinely curious. I know NY did it at least once with Billy Martin (numerous times), but it is a pretty rare occurrence.

I think Ralph Houk managed the Yankees twice as well.

And I am pretty sure it used to happen pre WW2 often as well.

[Hells Bells]

As someone said earlier, Lilly and Hillenbrand are both known for being jackass' so I don't even consider those run-ins as a negative for Gibbons. If anything, I thought it showed Gibbons wasn't going to be pushed around by anyone on his team.

Gibbons' teams always over-achieved IMO. They had terrible teams during his tenure and he always seem to keep them afloat at .500 or so. Some new blood would have been nice but I'm glad that its someone I'm familiar with and believe can get the job done.

[ShaolinFlame]

I don't think a few Billy Martin style locker room dust-ups would be such a bad thing for a team like this.

My money's on Lawrie first, but I can't wait for that first pitcher to hesitate handing over the ball. Also saw a comment on DJF reminding me of Gibby's strut to yell at umps. God that was/is going to be awesome.

[browna]

Imagine Escobar if he was still on a Gibbons team?
Gibbons and Lawrie may duke it out then have beers afterwards.

Interesting hire, doesn't look like he was up to too much since.

[TitovFTW]

This is a very good signing for the Blue Jays. He manages a bullpen great, he platoons and he's not addicted to bunting. Bluejays fans should be really happy about this move.

[ShaolinFlame]

Originally Posted by browna

Imagine Escobar if he was still on a Gibbons team?
Gibbons and Lawrie may duke it out then have beers afterwards.

Interesting hire, doesn't look like he was up to too much since.

He was a bench coach in KC for a year or two. I saw him on the score at the bar here and there having a dip and looking generally pissed off. I think he also managed AA for a few seasons (it's a job!).

Did you post that beer comment on DJF browna? I read that exact same thing in the comments there. Although it seems to be a pretty logical assumption either way.

The more I've thought about this the last fifteen minutes, the more I like it. This year is going to be absolutely bat-**** insane. Win or lose it's going to be fun as hell.

I'm thinking at some point someone will go on the DL after a locker room incident, and the team will go on a tear as a result. 70's style. Book it.

Edit: Almost forgot, Escobar and Gibby would worse than Reggie and Billy.

[VERVE]

This hire came out of left field...never saw this coming at all. I am disappointed esp with all the great players acquired, I was hoping Paul Molitor-one of the best hitters the Jays has ever had and he was part of the WS win. Then again I do trust AA's decision on almost everything he has made so far.

[Caged Great]

I like it. Gibbons focuses on the small things that help a team's chances at winning. The thing I'm more thankful for is Dwayne Murphy will be gone.

[Gozer]

I love Gibby and I'm thrilled with this move!

Did not expect it to be sure, but filling out a good lineup card and using the bullpen well were my major complaints with Farrell and Cito; not something I brush aside.
I, as others have mentioned, condone the altercation with problem-children on earlier teams. It only concerns me insofar as it reflects a lack of character...but you learn a lot about a guy's character when he gets fired and 're-hiring him tells me what they learned in that process.

I also just found the guy likeable. However silly or uninformed that is, I''ll be happy to have him back as part of my Jays experience.

[Alberta_Beef]

I was blindsided with this move. I don't know if it's good or bad but I am really excited about the Jays in the spring.

Go Jays!

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Is Elliott basing this on AA and Gibbons having dinner together? That's kind of what the article feels like.

Not sure how I feel about it if it is true one way or the other. It's a few years later with a different roster, so I guess I'll give him a clean slate and hope for the best. Just hope there's no drama this time around.

[TitovFTW]

Gibbons was actually a pretty laid back manager. This was not a case of someone being so high strung and going off time and time again.Also, this team has a leadership group already in place, which is a lot different from the last time around. The next best thing from Manny Acta is John Gibbons. A great fit for the Jays and even better that I suppose most mainstream Sports media in Canada will hate it.

[Erick Estrada]

IMO hiring Gibbons is more a statement of the lack of quality alternative candidates out there than how good a manager Gibbons is. I assume AA would rather go with a familiar face than risk bringing in an unproven guy. I can't fault him for that but time will tell if this is the right move.

[TitovFTW]

Johnny Mac and other players can't say enough good things about Gibbons as a manager today as I have Sirius here from California on The Fan 590 in Toronto. AA's press conference starts in 21 minutes.

[GirlySports]

Originally Posted by KootenayFlamesFan

Is Elliott basing this on AA and Gibbons having dinner together? That's kind of what the article feels like.

Not sure how I feel about it if it is true one way or the other. It's a few years later with a different roster, so I guess I'll give him a clean slate and hope for the best. Just hope there's no drama this time around.

Here in Canada I don't listen to any rumours.

Once Elliot or Brunt report it, it's true

[dustyanddaflames]

http://shop.mlb.com/product/index.js...745986.1487980

http://www.jaysshop.ca/

New jays jerseys are up - just placed an order for a alternate Reyes jersey... bones!!!!

[VERVE]

From the press conference, it seems like AA and Gibbons use to work very well together (brainstorming and sharing views about players) back when AA was an assistant.

Gibbons is an honest straight-shooter who doesn't pull punches (no pun intended) who will give you 100% if 'you' are loyal and play hard.

If anything, Gibbons certainly has a sense of humor and a personality than the last manager...

[Flickered Flame]

The best line from Gibbons in the press conference was I'm very fortunate that I know Alex and that is the right place at the right time. He acknowledged several times that there are several excellent candidates out there.