Blue Jays bring back much of coaching staff

Written by The Associated Press

TORONTO - The Toronto Blue Jays are bringing back much of manager John Gibbons' coaching staff for next season.

The Blue Jays said in a statement Monday that bench coach DeMarlo Hale, pitching coach Pete Walker, first base coach Tim Leiper and third base coach Luis Rivera are all coming back.

The main departure is hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, who accepted the same job with the Atlanta Braves after failing to come to terms on a new contract with Toronto. Bullpen coach Bob Stanley has accepted another position within the organization.

Gibbons gave his entire coaching staff a vote of confidence on the final day of a season in which his team finish third in the AL East with an 83-79 record.