The Toronto Blue Jays have hired Eric Wedge in the role of Player Development Advisor.
Wedge, 48, will work closely with Mark Shapiro, Ross Atkins and recently appointed Player Development Director, Gil Kim on strategies to enhance the Player Development system. The Fort Wayne, Indiana native owns a career managerial record of 774-846 (.478) over 10 seasons for Seattle and Cleveland, earning 2007 AL Manager of the Year with Cleveland. The former catcher was also named The Sporting News Manager of the Year for Buffalo in 2002 (AAA) and the 2001 Baseball America Minor League Manager of the Year. Originally drafted by Boston in the third round of the 1989 draft, Wedge appeared in 39 career games for the Red Sox and Rockies, posting a career .233 average with five home runs.