Music: {allcanada} Report: Jays to speak with Matt Williams

Monday, October 29, 2012

{allcanada} Report: Jays to speak with Matt Williams

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You can add Matt Williams' name to the list of candidates for the vacant Toronto Blue Jays managerial job.

On Monday, Jack Magruder of Fox reported the Blue Jays have asked for and received permission to speak to the Arizona Diamondbacks third base coach.

The 46-year-old Williams was hired as the Diamondbacks first base coach prior to the 2010 season and moved over to third base after Kirk Gibson became the team's manager in 2011.

During a 17-year career with the San Francisco Giants, Cleveland Indians and Arizona Diamondbacks Williams hit 378 home runs, won four Gold Gloves at third base and won a World Series title with Arizona in 2001.

Williams, who is in his second stint managing in the Arizona Fall League, spoke with the Colorado Rockies last week about their managerial opening.

He told Magruder he's ready to lead a big league club.

"You jump at the opportunity. You get as much experience as you can," Williams said. "It (managing) is what I want to do. Who knows if it will ever happen, but if you are never prepared. . . . It's like taking B.P. or taking extra grounders. There may be an opportunity one day. There are not many of them. You want to be prepared if it does happen."

As for Williams' managerial style:

"I think I am aggressive by nature, in all aspects of the game," Williams said. "Pitching, aggressive within the strike zone, aggressive with fastball command. On defense, running bunt plays or turning the double play. You need to be aggressive on the field. I think that's important."

On relating to players:

"I take preparation both from (Kirk Gibson) and from Buck (Showalter). I take how to relate well to your players from Dusty (Baker). Dusty has always been known as a players' manager, but those guys will run through a wall for him. I try to take some from that. And then 'B.B.' (Brenly). He was a master at letting his guys know where they stand and how he was going to use them.

"It's important to know every guy and to know what makes them tick. Know when something is bothering them or when they are happy. It takes time. You have to be available. It takes sitting down. Knowing their goals. Knowing their fears. Knowing their strengths. Then you can let them be free out there playing and put them in a situation to succeed."

In addition to Williams, the Blue Jays have also reportedly received permission to speak with Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach Tim Wallach. Other candidates are believed to include Sandy Alomar Jr., DeMarlo Hale, Don Wakamatsu, Brian Butterfield.

On Sunday, Sportsnet's Shi Davidi reported Brad Ausmus is not a candidate for the Toronto job while former big league managers Jim Tracy and Manny Acta are "not believed to be in play right now."