Report: Blue Jays interviewed Royals' Francisco for GM job

Another potential candidate for the Toronto Blue Jays' general manager search has emerged.

Kansas City Royals assistant GM of major-league and international operations Rene Francisco interviewed for the job, according to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal.

Francisco joined the Royals in 2005 after serving as the director of international scouting for the Atlanta Braves. He also previously assumed the same role with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and his specialty is evaluating and finding talent in Latin America.

Salvador Perez is the most notable player to be scouted and signed by Francisco, who inked one of the best catchers in the American League for only $65,000 at the time.

Dodgers senior vice president Josh Byrnes, Cleveland Indians VP of player personnel Ross Atkins, and Blue Jays interim GM Tony LaCava are the other candidates who could land the job on a full-time basis.

Blue Jays team president Mark Shapiro has said there's no timetable for hiring a permanent GM.

"That's obviously a critical hiring decision, and as we work through that process I want to be extremely thorough, ensuring that we arrive at the best person to lead the Toronto Blue Jays organization as the next general manager," Shapiro said earlier this month at a press conference to introduce LaCava as the club's interim GM.

Alex Anthopoulos served as Toronto's GM from 2010-15, and announced on Oct. 29 he rejected a long-term extension from the club. Anthopoulos was named Sporting News' Executive of the Year after making several high-profile trades to help the team clinch its first postseason berth since 1993.