Cito Gaston seemed shocked 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."
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."
http://baseball.realgm.com/src_wiretap_ ... e_turmoil/
errr...
can him with JP?
