Blue Jays to interview Baylor

By Jon Heyman, SI.com

Don Baylor, the 1979 AL MVP, has nine years of major league managerial experience.

AP

The Toronto Blue Jays have received permission to interview Rockies hitting coach Don Baylor for their managerial opening, sources say.

Retiring manager Cito Gaston has been trumpeting Baylor for the managing job behind the scenes, sources also say.

Baylor managed the Rockies from 1993 to 1998 and the Cubs from 2000 to 2002.

The Blue Jays are doing several phone interviews -- as many as 15 -- before calling in finalists. It is believed Yankees third base coach Rob Thomson and Blue Jays third base coach Brian Butterfield will be among those considered, as well.

According to the Toronto Sun, the Blue Jays interviewed former Diamondbacks manager Bob Melvin and ex-Indians manager Eric Wedge.