The Toronto Blue Jays have hired former Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly to be their bench coach for the 2023 season and, hopefully, beyond.
Mattingly brings in a storied career as a player and several years of experience managing MLB teams: he was the skipper of the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2011 to 2015, and then took over the Marlins from 2016 to 2022.
With no available managing positions in MLB at the moment, Mattingly decided to return to coaching and was offered a nice opportunity with the Blue Jays.
Toronto is an up-and-coming team that made the postseason this season after surviving the tough AL East.
They have one of the most talented rosters in the American League and a fearsome lineup headlined by Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, and George Springer.
Their rotation is also top-notch, led by Alek Manoah and Kevin Gausman.
Their bullpen could use some work but is not a liability, and they added Erik Swanson via trade with the Seattle Mariners.
Taking Things To The Next Level
Overall, this is a team ready to give it another shot at the title for at least a few more seasons, and Mattingly knows it.
Committed to winning 💯 #NextLevel pic.twitter.com/jlGz6bP72X
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) November 30, 2022
He said that the Blue Jays have had recent success and are ready to keep winning.
He talks about “commitment” from the players and the coaching staff to take things to the next level.
That next level he speaks about involves winning postseason series.
This past season, they were eliminated by the Mariners at home: it’s sad that a dominant campaign was erased in just two games, but that’s the nature of the playoffs.
The Blue Jays have what it takes to advance further in the playoffs, and Mattingly will help them take that step.
NEXT: Blue Jays Manager Has A Chance To Live Out A Dream