News
Turmoil in clubhouse surprises Gaston
Manager caught off guard by unrest among his players
By Jordan Bastian / MLB.com
10/02/09 7:49 PM EST
BALTIMORE -- Cito Gaston seemed baffled by the revelation that he was on the verge of losing his clubhouse. The Blue Jays' manager sat inside the visitors' dugout at Camden Yards on Friday, feeling blindsided by fast-spreading news that his players were not content."I'd really like to know what I need to change," Gaston said. "That would be interesting. I'd like to hear it myself."
Gaston -- beloved by Blue Jays fans for his role in guiding the organization to consecutive World Series crowns in 1992-93 -- will get that chance.
After multiple reports about unrest within the Blue Jays' clubhouse leaked on Friday morning, a group of Toronto's players made it known that they plan on calling a meeting to address issues that have developed throughout this frustrating season. According to more than a handful of players, Gaston is at the heart of the growing friction.
Considering that the Blue Jays' season ends on Sunday in Baltimore, the team meeting is expected to take place within the next few days. Paul Beeston, the Blue Jays' interim president and CEO, plans on joining the team on Saturday, and general manager J.P. Ricciardi is also with the club for its final series of the season.
Blue Jays center fielder Vernon Wells said that there is a definite problem within the clubhouse and the situation needs to be addressed soon, especially if Gaston is to return as manager in 2010 for the final year of his contract.
"There are issues, obviously," Wells said. "If something of that magnitude comes out, obviously there's some truth behind what comes up. It's tough for something like that to be stirred up and completely be fabricated. I think some of the issues that go on need to stay in here and be taken care of as a group.
"That's something that will obviously play itself out over these next three days and over the course of the offseason."
After 11 years away from managing Toronto, the 65-year-old Gaston returned to the Blue Jays in June of last season, replacing former manager John Gibbons. Toronto soared to a 51-37 record down the stretch in 2008 and opened this season 27-14. Since then, the Jays endured a prolonged slump that sent them tumbling from first to fourth place in the American League East, and the team will finish with a losing record for the first time since '05.
The news that a group of Jays have issues with Gaston's way of doing things comes in the midst of a 9-1 stretch for the club. Wells noted that the recent performance, combined with the timing of the in-house complaints, should show that the team is not trying to blame its manager for another disappointing season.
"This is not about winning and losing," said Wells, who noted that this is the most upset a team has been in his career with the Blue Jays. "This is about family issues."
| "I think you really have to go around to all those players and ask them. I don't think you can just rely on the players that told you that. I think you need to talk to all of them to find out. If it comes out to 50 percent, maybe we've got a problem." |
| -- Jays manager Cito Gaston |
"I think you guys know I'm probably one of the most positive people out here every day," Gaston responded.
Gaston admitted to being stunned by the reports, including some that spoke of division even within the coaching staff.
"I've had managers I didn't think treated me fairly," he said. "But I'm surprised I can find any guy who says they haven't been treated fairly. I've been honest with them, I never lie to players. I'm not sure what the problem is."
Even with all the issues coming to the surface, the players know Gaston is not going to make everyone happy.
"It is old school," Overbay said. "When you have a younger group in here, it kind of hit us a little harder. It kind of caught us off guard, more than anything. Still, being a manager, you've got to put a lineup out there. We still have got to go out and do a job. That's the thing. Not everyone is going to be happy. If you try to make 25 guys happy, you're going to make them even more miserable, I think."
Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay, whose own future is uncertain, declined to comment on the situation.
"I've got nothing for you guys on that," said Halladay, who faces the possibility of being traded over the offseason. "Any concerns or views I have will be expressed, but to the right people."
One of those people will be Beeston, who was completely caught off guard by Friday's reports.
"I don't believe it. I don't know where it came from," Beeston told the Globe and Mail. "I would think I would have known if Cito had lost the clubhouse. I'm close enough to enough of those guys that they can feel free to talk to me. And I suspect, and this is not meant as a disrespect to anybody else ... but I can't believe the players would be talking to the press and not directly to me."
The Jays players who have an issue with Gaston plan on speaking with Beeston. According to second baseman Aaron Hill, who has enjoyed a breakout season for the team this year, the clubhouse is united in its desire to meet about the matter soon.
"There are some things that need to be addressed, yes," Hill said. "I think everybody pretty much feels the same, for the most part. Everything that's gone on with the team, we've stayed together. It's one of those things where as a whole, I think they'll stay together."
Asked if he felt he had to win back the confidence of his team, Gaston said he did not think that was the case.
"If you got two or three or four guys that have a problem, you don't have to win anything back, do you?" Gaston said. "You might have to deal with those guys, but you don't have to win a clubhouse back."
Told that players indicated that at least half of the team felt there was a significant problem, Gaston displayed disbelief.
"I think you really have to go around to all those players and ask them," Gaston said. "I don't think you can just rely on the players that told you that. I think you need to talk to all of them to find out. If it comes out to 50 percent, maybe we've got a problem.
"And I'd like to know what the problem is, because I can't be any fairer than what I've been."
Many of the Blue Jays don't seem to agree.
Wells was asked if it would be difficult to play under Gaston again next season.
"I can't answer that question," he said with a shrug.
Hill added that he believed the situation could be resolved.
"I think any relationship is salvageable," Hill said. "But on both sides, there's got to be a little give and take. From that part of it, we'll see what happens."
Jordan Bastian is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
